Tommy’s Mom Dies & Demi Moore Takes Control

SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers from Season 2, Episode 1 of “Landman,” “Death and a Sunset,” which premiered Sunday, Nov. 16, on Paramount+.

Howdy, “Landman” fans! I’m Bill, and I’m the city slicker who’s going to head to Texas with you to break down new episodes of this lovable Billy Bob Thornton drama. As Season 2 begins, the characters are facing many changes. Among them, Monty Miller (Jon Hamm) is dead and his wife Cami (Demi Moore) is taking over M-Tex; cartel boss Jimenez (Alex Meraz) was killed by his boss Gallino (Andy Garcia); Cooper (Jacob Lofland) is trying to make his scandalous relationship with Ariana (Paulina Chavez) work as he heads off on his own to try to be an oil tycoon; and Tommy (Thornton) is promoted to have even more responsibilities at M-Tex after Monty’s death. It’s a stressful time, so let’s dive right in.

• Between Tommy’s breakfast conspiracy lecture and mainlining coffee and cigarettes before the sun’s up, I’m worried about him having a heart attack, too!
• There’s good music already this season — a Turnpike Troubadours needle drop not even five minutes in? Hell yeah!
• “The mosquitoes are so big, they can fuck a turkey flat-footed.” Is it possible that’s not a folksy Texas expression but rather a horrifying reality in the South?
• “It’s a young woman’s game here — no offense.” I’m sorry, Demi Moore made “The Substance” — you must treat her with respect or prepare to be eaten alive.
• Cami’s speech rules, and is a great reminder of the take-no-prisoners attitude that makes this show special. “The only difference between me and Monty is I’m meaner. Test me and you’ll find out how much.” Fuck yeah!
• How is Cooper’s first drill this successful? Another shoe has to drop on this get-rich-quick operation, right?
• Wow, Ariana couldn’t be less excited about being an overnight multimillionaire. Why is she so cagey?
• Angela (Ali Larter) expressing her love of grey sweatpants to her daughter, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), is pretty gross! Will we see Tommy wearing them in a future episode?
• Ainsley and this college counselor couldn’t be less of a fit — give me a bottle episode with these two on a road trip!
• Shout out to Randolph, who walks a tricky line during this scene between being way over her head and disarmingly sweet. It’s hard to empathize with someone who spends the bulk of their admittance meeting babbling on about the importance of hot people having kids together, but she makes it work.
• Oof, what a sad introduction to T.L. (Sam Elliott). Is it too soon to cry this season?
• T.L.’s harsh rebuttal of reconnecting with his wife after he passes: “If I do, that means I’m in hell too.” Woof, we’ve got some trauma to explore soon.
• The way the Norris women act around Cooper, you can practically smell him through the television.
• It’s funny how quickly everyone scatters when Angela starts throwing plates during her tantrum. Bonus points to those around the table who escaped with their drinks and food in hand.
• Tommy and Angela’s rapid, NC-17 make-up after the dinner fight proves that those two loonies are meant for each other.
• There’s something about Thornton’s cigarette smoking that makes the ugly habit look so appealing, right?
• Love that final shot of the sunset, mirroring Tommy to who we now know is his father, T.L., as they both search for meaning in the family matriarch’s death.

Until next week, feel free to discuss your own conspiracy theories and far-fetched easy money schemes in the comments below.