Landman Season 2 Just Proved It Can Beat Yellowstone at Its Own Game

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The premiere of Landman showed it’s finally capable of going head-to-head with Yellowstone, matching the Dutton family’s drama in quality. While Landman was often talked about as a potential successor to Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, it hadn’t fully demonstrated the ability to compete – until now.

Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris—a tough, resourceful oil industry problem-solver—is the standout addition to Season 2 of Landman, where he’ll be running M-Tex Oil. Although the show already featured well-known actors like Ali Larter, Jon Hamm, and Demi Moore, Thornton’s performance is a key element that could help Landman fill the void left by Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Is About John Dutton And His Family’s Intergenerational Legacy

The story of Yellowstone centers on John Dutton and his family’s long-held land, which he’s determined to preserve. The Dutton family’s history in Montana began with the 1883 spinoff, showing they’ve lived in Paradise Valley for more than 140 years. John’s ancestors originally settled the vast Montana property after traveling a route similar to the Oregon Trail, establishing their home there in the 1800s.

The sprawling Yellowstone ranch, the biggest of its kind in the United States, is central to the show, as is its history of being passed down through families of ranchers. So, Yellowstone isn’t simply about John Dutton; it’s about a legacy spanning over a hundred years, and John’s efforts to keep the ranch going for his grandson, Tate (Brecken Merrill), and future generations.

For me, it’s not just about John getting the ranch – it’s about what he does with it, making sure it stays in the family. The tension between him wanting to hold onto everything and Kayce wanting to get out from under that responsibility feels like the central conflict of the show. It really reminds me of the dynamic that developed between John and Thomas Rainwater after his father passed away.

The enduring appeal of a show like Yellowstone doesn’t just come from a single character’s journey, but from the sweeping story of an entire family over multiple generations. For Landman to succeed, it needs to create a similar multi-generational narrative, captivating viewers with the stories of several family members across different eras.

Landman Season 2 Features Three Generations of the Norris Family

A pivotal element of the oil drama series is the introduction of compelling characters. In Season 2 of Landman, actor Barry Elliott plays T.L., the father of Tommy Norris. We first meet T.L. as he watches the sunset from a care home, enjoying the fading light. While a trailer hinted at Elliott’s role as Tommy’s father, the Season 2 premiere officially confirmed the connection.

The series begins with T.L. learning of his wife’s death, and ends with Tommy receiving the same devastating news about his mother, Angela. This parallel suggests Tommy and T.L. are related, and that Taylor Sheridan is continuing the Norris family saga in Landman with a new generation.

With Elliott now playing a third generation of the Norris family, and his role in the oil-focused series Landman, the show is aiming to reach the same level of popularity as Yellowstone. Early looks at Season 2 suggest T.L. will become closely involved in Tommy’s life, mirroring the relationship between Kayce, Tate, and John Dutton in Yellowstone, and creating a three-generation family dynamic.

Landman Season 2’s Depiction of Family Legacy Is Better Than Yellowstone

Season 2 of Landman is starting to focus more on family stories, particularly the life of Tommy. Tommy, Cooper, and T.L. mirror the characters of John, Kayce, and Tate Dutton. What’s especially compelling is how the show explores the idea of a family’s lasting impact, with Cooper now managing his own oil business.

However, the relationships within a family can be much more complex than what we see between John, Kayce, and Tate on Yellowstone. Although Tate is part of the story, he doesn’t have much influence or character growth, leaving Kayce and John to carry the narrative – a contrast to the more promising dynamic between Cooper and T.L.

Cooper’s actions have more impact than Tate’s, increasing the tension within the Norris family. The discovery of oil by Cooper in the premiere of Landman Season 2, combined with multiple generations of the family being involved, makes the story even more compelling. Like Yellowstone, Landman is becoming captivating due to its blend of conflicts over land and family relationships.

While Yellowstone spans multiple generations of the Dutton family, understanding the full history requires watching its prequel shows. Landman delivers this backstory more directly; instead of a brief flashback like John’s in Yellowstone, we see Tommy’s father as a central character woven throughout the story.

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2025-11-20 23:37