Landman Recap: Purchasing Hope

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I’ve been pondering what purpose T.L. serves in the story. He seems to be there to reveal a different side of Tommy, fleshing out his past and explaining how he became who he is. While Sam Elliott plays the role well and keeps things interesting, and this aspect has had some success, the show is now starting to revisit the same themes with T.L. as it did with Dottie, especially as we’re more than halfway through the second season.

At the beginning of “Dark Night of the Soul,” T.L. offers to help Tommy with errands in Fort Worth, giving them a chance to connect as father and son. The car ride is particularly heartwarming, as T.L. overhears Tommy talking to Angela and playfully compares him to a monkey chasing a frantic dog. Tommy’s genuine laughter suggests the close, positive relationship they always had the potential for.

Things take a turn when Tommy brings T.L. to meet Danny Morrell and Cami at a horse riding center where Danny does business. The meeting nearly falls apart when T.L. gets into a fight with an old colleague named Nash and is asked to leave. It’s not entirely clear what started the fight, but Nash bringing up Dottie clearly upset him.

Tommy challenges his father, wanting answers. This leads to T.L. sharing more about the long-lasting pain he’s carried. Some of their conversation is beautifully worded, particularly when he talks about how the loss of a child impacted both him and Dottie – he says it “shattered” him, but didn’t destroy his spirit. However, much of what T.L. reveals feels like a repeat of things we already knew, like his decades-long hope that the woman he loved was still present, and Tommy’s missed opportunity to know her vibrant personality. While it’s good to see father and son connect – there’s a moving moment where T.L. encourages Tommy to enjoy life and create memories – the episode largely revisits familiar territory.

Despite the tension, Tommy and Danny actually make good progress during their meeting. They eventually reach an agreement on the loan for the rig installation, though Cami steps in and accepts Danny’s offer of a 60/40 split without consulting Tommy. In a particularly touching moment, Danny tells Tommy he wants to earn his trust. Tommy may have to start trusting Danny, even if he’s hesitant, which sets up a compelling situation for what’s to come.

Tommy actually seems to have a stronger connection with Danny than with Cami. While celebrating their new business deal in Fort Worth, Tommy complained to Danny about Cami’s lack of trust, and Danny advised him to address it quickly. It’s hinted that Cami could completely turn against Tommy if influenced to do so. The episode ends with a suggestion of a potential conflict between Tommy and Cami – their friendship is falling apart despite their growing business partnership.

I’m really starting to wonder if T.L. is going to get involved in all of this somehow. I saw how he interacted with Nash, and he definitely seemed interested in what was going on later. Honestly, connecting their stories more directly would be amazing for the season, and I’m hoping it happens before we reach the end. I’d also love to see some more excitement with Cooper and Ariana. This was supposed to be Cooper’s season to shine – to really make a name for himself in the oil business – but it feels like he’s just stuck in debt, still waiting for his first paycheck. It’s disappointing that we haven’t seen him leading his own team and learning the ropes like Tommy promised; he’s completely focused on Ariana, obsessing over an engagement ring and trying to give her everything she wants.

Cooper and Ariana weren’t the most captivating characters on the show, but their relationship in the first season had some interesting conflict, mainly due to outside pressures and Ariana’s feelings about moving on too quickly. Now, they’re simply happy and making plans for the future without much drama. This episode, “Dark Night of the Soul,” centers on Cooper and Ariana trying to get the approval of Elvio’s grandmother, Isabel. She quickly connects with Ariana, reminding her that she deserves to be loved, something Elvio couldn’t provide. When Cooper meets Isabel, he easily wins her over by expressing his feelings for Ariana, mirroring his recent visit with Ariana’s parents.

Rebecca Falcone is developing a new romance, and while it’s not particularly unique, it’s more engaging than the storyline with Cooper, largely because it shows a side of her we haven’t seen before. The episode’s plot involving her new love interest is fairly predictable, especially if you paid attention to the ‘previously on’ segment. Meanwhile, Rebecca is searching for a qualified expert to manage the new offshore drilling rig in the Gulf. Nate suggests Charlie Newsom, and Rebecca soon discovers that’s who he is when she goes to meet him on location.

Charlie is relentlessly flirting with Rebecca. He’s offered to help with the gas drilling, but he’s clearly more interested in a romantic connection with her. He takes the lead on the drilling team as a way to get closer, hoping she’ll let her guard down and allow herself to enjoy his company. I actually want her to be happy too, even if Charlie’s methods are a bit obvious. Ultimately, his forwardness – even kissing her, despite her being his supervisor – works. She agrees to go to dinner with him, suggesting he’s making progress on more than just the oil well.

Boomtown

This week, we’re checking in with the Boss’s team at the Permian Basin International Oil Show in Odessa, Texas – a trade show highlighting new technology in the oil industry. The event feels like a sign of things to come, suggesting a future where many of these workers could be replaced by automation.

Danny enthusiastically describes the horse training as a strange mix of grace and force, calling it a “violent ballet.” He also suggests Cami read the poem “The Dark Night of the Soul” by St. John of the Cross, explaining it’s helpful during difficult times – a fitting suggestion, as one of the horses is actually named “Noche Oscura del Alma” (Dark Night of the Soul). However, Tommy is suspicious, believing the horse training is just a cover for money laundering by a ruthless man.

Someone mentioned your brother’s wedding, and the response included a distasteful and inappropriate joke about gender. Given the current discussions surrounding gender-affirming care for young people, this kind of ‘humor’ is particularly insensitive and harmful.

It’s good to see Angela connecting with her son; she’s even giving him her engagement ring!

Was anyone else expecting Taylor Sheridan to appear as Travis, the horse trainer he played on Yellowstone?

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2025-12-21 20:55