Landman Season 2’s Offshore Rig Finally Takes Off In Episode 9
While Landman Season 2 has been a slow burn thus far, things doubtlessly pick up in the penultimate episode, the last installment before the season finale. As Tommy, Cami, Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace), and Charles Newsome (Guy Burnet) make the journey to Louisiana to check out their offshore oil rig, Miller is filled with fresh energy, excited about the prospect. As Cami struts onto the plane decked in a draping pink dress and extravagant jewelry, she has a new swagger when she asks her president, “Are you feeling lucky this morning, Tommy?” Norris insists that “luck never drilled a well,” going on to say that Cami’s gut is lying to her, insisting that the feeling she’s experiencing is actually greed. Cami maintains her optimism, while a noticeable rift forms between Miller and her company’s president. The tension continues after Cami and Tommy deplane, traveling in a caravan of black SUVs to the channel where the rig is traveling. While others, like Gallino (Andy Garcia) and his wife, Bella (Stefania Spampinato), share in Cami’s excitement, Tommy remains doubtful.
Cami Miller Officially Fires Tommy Norris In Landman Season 2
Landman officially confirms that Billy Bob Thornton’s character will be replaced as M-Tex’s president as Cami calls Tommy over for a chat, reconciling their differences in opinion by reporting that Norris is fired, saying, “President of my company can’t be averse to the very thing that built it.” It’s a massive development for Landman that could change the show’s fabric. The development follows up on foreshadowing from Landman Season 2, Episode 6, after Tommy and Cami negotiated funding with Gallino for their offshore well. Later that night at the Cattleman’s Club with their families, Garcia’s character said he got the sense Cami didn’t trust Tommy, and Norris said it was because he lost his own fortune.
Ultimately, though, it appears that Cami wanted to fire Tommy not because he lost his fortune, but because he wasn’t willing to go after hers with the same conviction after he had fallen from the top. Gallino predicted that Cami might let go of Norris as the oil company’s president in the future, setting the stage for Tommy’s M-Tex exit. Moore’s character makes it explicitly clear she wants one thing, holding Tommy’s face in her hands in Landman Season 2, Episode 8. She says she doesn’t want to sit by the poolside with cabana boys as Tommy suggests, clarifying her ambition with a key line from Landman Season 2, saying, “I want success. Get that for me.”
However, Tommy has maintained his opinion that Cami should litigate rather than pursue the offshore well. She disagreed, wanting to keep her word, leading with the principles that drive her rather than complying with what her advisors thought was best. Ultimately, Miller wanted Tommy’s trust and will now be seeking to hire someone in his place who believes in her.
What Tommy Norris’ Termination Means For Landman Season 3
What’s clear from Landman Season 2, Episode 9, is that Norris is out as M-Tex’s president. What’s less clear is how that will materialize in Landman Season 3, though the finale of Season 2 will likely provide some answers in that department. There are a couple of options for Tommy Norris’ story moving forward, all different from what was expected. Tommy will almost definitely be replaced as M-Tex’s president, and Norris has a few options concerning what comes next, depending on what plays out in the finale of Landman Season 2. For instance, it’s unclear if Tommy was fired from the company or just as its president. If it’s the latter, Thornton’s character can return to his beloved landman role.
An alternative story that the series could be setting up for Landman Season 3 is Tommy and his son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland), going into business together, securing funding for Cooper’s six wells at the WolfCamp site. That storyline would begin to make Landman more about an intergenerational family legacy, like the story Sheridan told in his Yellowstone series. If Landman Season 3 sees Tommy and Cooper go into business together, that storyline could incorporate several elements Season 2 introduced. Tommy’s father, T.L. (Sam Elliott), also has oil field experience and could lend a hand in the operations. Landman’s oil rig workers could also leave M-Tex to follow Tommy and his new project, continuing their character development.
