Landman is coming back for Season 2, and after a grand Season 1 finale, there are a lot of questions that should be answered in the next installment. Landman follows Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a landman for the Texas oil magnate, M-Tex. M-Tex is owned by Monty Miller (Jon Hamm), and though the two have been friends for a long time, Tommy has more on-site knowledge and understanding of the oil rigs, while Monty takes care of the business side. Thornton leads the talented ensemble in this typically Taylor Sheridan series, weaving drama and even melodrama with some cold, hard truths about blue-collar work. Since this is Sheridan’s show, there are bound to be even more twists and turns along the way. These are the seven questions I need answered in Landman Season 2 so I can chill peacefully.
Is Monty Miller Truly Gone?
Image via Paramount+
If you watched the first season, you know that Monty Miller died at the end of Season 1 from complications following a heart attack. After multiple heart attacks over the years, Monty succumbed to this one, leaving everyone in shock. His death was one of the biggest events of the season finale, but I just know that a show like Landman rarely lets a figure that central to vanish cleanly. Sure, it’s very much Sheridan-like to kill off a major character, but I don’t think Monty will be gone gone, in the truest sense of the word. Provided that no raising from the dead happens or bizarre Dynasty-like twists take place, Monty Miller will stay dead. However, his absence could cast a long shadow, maybe through some deals he left unfinished, potential debts that surfaced, or even a hidden ally who steps up in Monty’s name. There may very easily be a “Monty contingency plan” which derails Tommy’s control of M-Tex, since he’s now the one in charge. I’d like to know if Monty really will just be a memory and a cautionary tale for him; also, could Monty appear in flashbacks, and would they make sense for the overall story?
Will Cami Miller Be Able To Hold the Company (and the Power)?
While Tommy is the new head of M-Tex, Monty’s wife Cami (Demi Moore) is the majority shareholder. This gives her some leverage, but it also paints a target on her back. I choose to believe that Cami can hold her own and grab the newly acquired power with both hands, but she may also end up being too grief-stricken and separated from the company to care. Knowing Sheridan’s female characters, Cami is resilient and clever, and surely hiding a talent of some sort. I’m excited to see her turn out to be much stronger than we were initially introduced to, even if her role in Season 1 was quite minimal. I also expect a high-stakes boardroom war in Season 2, since oil companies are predominantly male-led, and that white collar aspect of it is especially cutthroat and male-dominated. Cami will need a strong ally by her side, but she will also show her teeth and grit; if it makes her ruthless, good. Plenty of the show’s fans would love to see Moore in a bigger role in Landman Season 2, and I feel like her becoming majority shareholder is the right way to make that happen. I really can’t wait to see how she’ll manage in that world.
Can Tommy Actually Run M-Tex From the President’s Chair?
Tommy Norris is different from the rest of those oil suits because he’s a landman who was previously an oil rig worker. This means he knows how the fields work, he’s honest, grounded, and tough; he’s a great CEO according to those in the fields who risk their lives daily to make the oil rigs function properly. But, the office is another beast entirely, and Tommy’s field skills may not translate there. I need to know if Tommy can actually run M-Tex after Monty’s death, or if he’s going to get overwhelmed by the paper trail; chances are, both will happen, and he’ll just need to continue relying on himself. Tommy is a brilliant protagonist because he’s funny, intelligent, and level-headed (most of the time). He’s a relatable working man with real life problems, trying to balance the high demands of his job with the high demands of his family. His greatest strength is being a straight shooter, which will likely clash with the corporate cutthroat world. Will he try to keep his integrity, or will the new events of Season 2 chip away at it? This will be an interesting character study, too, and I’m excited about Tommy becoming an even bigger protagonist.
What Happens With Cooper’s New Business Venture?
Image via Paramount+
Another part of the Season 1 finale was Cooper Norris’ (Jacob Lofland) business venture. Cooper left university to become an oil man, just like his dad, Tommy, was; Tommy, while unhappy with this decision, lets Cooper do his thing, and forces him to start from scratch so he can understand how brutal and relentless the oil rigs can be. Cooper finds himself in an oil rig explosion on the first day, realizing how dangerous the work can be. Regardless of the traumatic event, Cooper persists. With his business venture, this persistence will come in handy and be more than welcome. However, his risks usually come with some collateral damage, so it’s a question of how far Cooper will go to make things work for him. My biggest gripe here is that Cooper will inevitably become entangled with some shady partners. Maybe Andy Garcia‘s Galino approaches him to make Tommy sweat a little bit; maybe Tommy gets dragged into it all by blood, not choice. I find Cooper to be a typical random character, but I appreciate him beginning from scratch. I’m just curious whether Cooper emerges as a scrappy genius who saves the family and becomes a landman, and oil magnate, one day—or he turns out to be a selfish dreamer who blows up everything. I’m really curious to see how Cooper’s story plays out, and where his character goes next.
How Big a Role Will Cartels and Oil Theft Play, and What’s Galino up To?
Image via Paramount+
Season 2 will inevitably feature Andy Garcia more, as it’s impossible for someone of his caliber to just be in an episodic or momentary role. Galino is the cartel leader who presses Tommy for dominance over the Texas–Mexico border, and he sends his enforcers to send drugs across the M-Tex land. I’m curious whether his deal will extend onto M-Tex further, now that Tommy is the CEO; also, will oil theft become his main deal? Mentioning Cooper’s venture, is it possible that Galino will also try to get a piece of his venture, too? There are plenty of possibilities with Galino, the cartel boss with a sophisticated suit and appearance. I think Galino could easily mirror Monty as a kind of “dark mentor” figure, testing whether Tommy, Cooper, or both can be bought, bullied, or broken. Galino is definitely charming, calculating, and unafraid of bloodshed—it’s his signature. At the end of the first season, Galino threatens Tommy after his men beat him to a pulp; this just means he’s returning in the second season and planning on making bigger moves. Everyone’s wondering what Galino’s next move will be, including me.
Why Is Sam Elliott’s T.L. Appearing?
Image via Paramount+
Sam Elliott was announced as the new addition to Landman, as the character called T.L. The new season teaser shows he’ll portray Tommy’s father, since Tommy refers to him as “pop” in it. Elliott is no stranger to Sheridan’s shows—he was an integral character in the Yellowstone prequel, 1883. Considering Elliott tends to play roles that embody tradition, grit, and moral authority, T.L. will likely be someone like that, an iconic new character that brings a whole new plot twist into the mix. However, nothing’s that clean in Landman, so, best-case scenario, T.L. is at least morally gray, used to toeing the line and teaching Tommy everything he knows. Elliott is 80, a decade older than Thornton, so it’s interesting to see this casting. His charm is timeless and often effortless, and everyone is excited to see him alongside Thornton; their chemistry will be off the charts, and for that sake, T.L. will hopefully be a protective character to Tommy rather than someone harboring animosity. Everyone’s curious to know more about T.L., and guesses are he might be an old-timer landman or oil baron. To make things interesting, he’ll probably be an industry expert who straddles the line between ally and enemy. My guess is, as a father figure, he’ll be both—a source of wisdom for Tommy (because we want some precious Elliott–Thornton moments), but with his own agenda.
What Are the Long Term Emotional Payoffs for Tommy’s Family?
Finally, I know this is a theme that will probably draw out longer than just Season 2, if Sheridan has plans to extend it, but what will happen with Tommy’s family? In Season 1, we see them coming together—Tommy’s daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) wants to move in with him; Cooper wants to work close to him; his ex-wife and Ainsley and Cooper’s mother, Angela (Ali Larter), get back together with him. Things were finally looking good for Tommy on the family plane, leaving him less lonely, allowing him to realize the worth of the people in his life. However, after becoming M-Tex’s CEO and involved with the cartel, these new events could crack the family wide open, testing whether business ambition can coexist with family life. Angela is a strong and supportive woman, and I’m sure she’ll stand by Tommy, though she will probably be torn between support and exhaustion. Ainsley was already seen trying to become independent in her new hometown, and she’ll probably rebel even harder and push further to carve her own life outside the oil curse. This could get Tommy caught between saving his family life and saving the company. The tragedy could be that Tommy wins in business but loses them, but here’s hoping the family’s resilience and dedication is stronger than oil money. I really want them all to be happy and together again, and despite obvious dysfunctions, they’re an atypical and loving family.
Image via Paramount+
