Landman Recap: The Farthest Thing from Okay

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So, where are we with this season? I’ve been patient with the show’s slow pace, mainly because I’ve liked seeing Tommy’s more relaxed side, and Cami is finally getting the attention she deserves. But with only two episodes left, things aren’t really picking up, and I’m starting to worry about the ending.

Honestly, did the show really need another trip to a nursing home just to fill time? The episode starts with Angela getting $10,000 from her husband with a suggestive FaceTime call – the first moment that felt a little forced. It gets even stranger when the nurse, Margaret, keeps calling Angela “cool” while the residents enjoy frozen margaritas on the way to the casino. Then, Angela tries her luck at roulette, losing a lot of money betting on the same color over and over until she unexpectedly starts winning big.

Honestly, as a viewer, I’m already feeling disconnected from Angela and Ainsley’s side stories, so dedicating an entire episode to a makeover for Margaret felt really strange. She barely connects to what’s happening with the main plot! Deidra Shanell does a good job playing Margaret – you can tell she’s reserved and maybe secretly wants to be more outgoing. But ultimately, her story just doesn’t land. It wasn’t particularly enjoyable to watch Angela and Ainsley basically treat Margaret like a project and turn her work scrubs into a revealing outfit – especially since everything that happens after is so predictable. We get guys checking her out at the casino and her husband immediately noticing the change at home. That last part felt completely unnecessary, honestly.

And it wasn’t just that Angela somehow won over $317,000 at the casino – it felt like something completely unreal. Her good fortune was presented as just another example of her getting everything she desired effortlessly. Honestly, though, I started to wish she’d experience some setbacks and face real consequences. In the world of Landman, what does money even mean if Angela can wipe away almost any financial problem in a single day? She could probably solve all of M-Tex’s money troubles if she just spent a little more time gambling.

It feels like the entire season is hinging on this offshore drilling rig, which we’ve been hearing about for a while now. But so far, it’s all just been preparation. We’re left wondering if we’ll actually see the drilling happen on screen, or if it will be glossed over, maybe shown briefly between episodes or in a quick montage. It’s difficult to see where this storyline is going, and how the show can possibly resolve it in just two episodes.

Honestly, this storyline is still the most captivating, but it’s becoming predictable. We consistently see the same group – Tommy, Cami, Rebecca, and Nate – meeting at Monty’s old office to discuss the same things: insurance, oil, gas, taxes, and potential risks. This week, Charlie joins them to update Cami on the situation. He emphasizes that finding gas isn’t certain – the estimated chance is around 10% – but he’s confident they have a shot.

So, Tommy and the lawyers went into that meeting hoping to convince Cami to just call the whole thing off. From what we’ve gathered, Monty probably decided against drilling because fighting it out with the insurance company and paying a settlement was the smarter, safer move financially. But Cami? She’s not about dragging things out in court for years, even if it means protecting most of her fortune. She genuinely wants to keep her promise and stick to the lease agreement – and she definitely doesn’t want her family’s name linked to anything shady like a misused payment. It’s clear she’s set on moving forward – drill, baby, drill!

It’s clear everyone is upset about this decision. Rebecca is particularly angry with Charlie for minimizing the danger and for confidently promoting his skills. She ends their relationship abruptly, and Charlie cruelly predicts she’ll end up alone. This hits home for her, as she knows she often drives people away. Personally, I wasn’t very invested in their relationship to begin with, so I don’t feel too bad about it.

Cami’s scenes are consistently more engaging. Before a meeting, she has a strange and upsetting experience when a stranger tries to clean salad dressing off her face without permission. She confides in Tommy, as she doesn’t have anyone else to talk to, and he comforts her. This moment is particularly meaningful – reminiscent of unexpectedly sweet scenes in shows like Succession – because it happens right after they’ve been arguing about a major disagreement. Despite their growing conflicts, it’s clear they still care for each other and Tommy is there for her when she needs support.

As you’ll recall, each episode includes a scene at Monty’s office, and also a visit to Danny Morrell’s office where Tommy’s efforts always fail. This time, Tommy makes a final attempt to cancel the drilling contract, but Danny has no reason to stop the project and help M-Tex. Cami used the lease royalties as collateral for a loan, meaning Danny is profiting regardless of whether they find gas. Even Tommy understands that, in Danny’s shoes, he wouldn’t withdraw funding now.

This episode also focuses on T.L., whose storyline begins with him getting stuck in the pool – a situation that feels ironic given his philosophy of appreciating life. He shares a story with Tommy about someone he knew who had Alzheimer’s but still found joy, highlighting the contrast with his own experience. While his mind remains clear, his body is failing, making his struggle particularly painful to watch. It’s a heartfelt moment where he acknowledges the challenges of aging and the difficulty of staying positive. The hug he shares with Tommy is especially meaningful and uncommon for him.

Sheridan predictably introduced another attractive young woman to fix T.L.’s issues, didn’t he? Knowing his dad won’t approve of proper physical therapy, Tommy turns to a strip club for a solution. He offers to generously pay Cheyenne to help T.L. with stretches and regain his mobility, and she accepts—but first makes it clear she enjoys dancing and doesn’t need the money.

While the story has potential for heartwarming moments – the aquatherapy scene hints at this – the script often relies on shock value. A particularly uncomfortable example is when Tommy suggests an inappropriate act from Cheyenne towards his father. The story also uses obvious tropes, like Cheyenne’s license plate reading “HOT LIPPS” and her mysterious, revealing appearance. The narrative shows her spending hours in her underwear with an older man, seemingly comfortable with his flirtatious questions about her relationships and genuinely enjoying the attention.

Could this storyline work if Cheyenne weren’t portrayed as conventionally attractive? Her sex appeal is central to the character – T.L. wouldn’t approve of any physical therapy unless it was led by an attractive young blonde. However, almost every female character on this show is defined by their looks, and we rarely get to know them as people. While season two occasionally felt like the show was making progress with its female characters, the constant focus on their appearance – even in seemingly positive storylines like makeovers or physical therapy – holds Landman back from reaching its full potential. And that’s on top of the fact that the plot barely moves forward.

Boomtown

Cooper is now officially the project manager. It was surprisingly easy to get the boss to step down from leading the project – it only took five seconds! Honestly, it’s a bit concerning how quickly that happened.

• What the hell happened to the investigation into the guy who killed himself by an M-Tex well?

• I actually did laugh at T.L. saying, “Get your own therapist, pal,” to Dale.

The statement, filled with offensive language, reveals a dismissive and unnecessarily hostile attitude towards the female characters. Beyond being simply misogynistic, it highlights a pattern in the writer’s work where the women lack distinct personalities and feel quite similar to one another, detracting from any genuine connection the male character might have with them.

• T.L. was wearing jeans in the pool!?

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2026-01-05 03:55