Landman: Billion Dollar Business But

Landman (Season 1/2024-25) series digs deep into the oil and gas business operating in West Texas and unearths fascinating drama. Billy Bob Thornton plays the protagonist in it.

“Landman” Runs Billion Dollar Oil Business In Texas, But The Looming Threats Of Deadly Accidents & Nasty Drug Cartels Are Always Around

Spoiler Free Review: Landman (S1/2024-25) Series

Trailer & Synopsis

Key Details

The Meaning of the Landman – explained

In the petroleum industry in the United States of America, a ‘Landman’ functions as a liaison between oil exploration companies and landowners. Their duties generally involve researching county records, assessing mineral ownership, and negotiating leases for the company they represent. After the establishment of an oil (or gas) well unit, the landman’s responsibilities are complete, and drilling teams are sent to the site. So, the landmen constitute a specialized role within the oil and gas sector. In addition, there are the ‘Roughnecks‘ or ‘Patchworkers‘ employed in the US petroleum industry.

Gripping screenplay by Taylor Sheridon & Christian Wallace

Its melodramatic screenplay directly and indirectly illuminates the state of the oil business in West Texas. We see the contrasting lifestyles of the people working in the oil industry. At the top are the billionaire owners of the MTEX oil company. These owners lead lavish lifestyles, viz., husband Monty Miller (Jon Hamm), wife Cami Miller (Demi Moore), and their daughters.

Then at the bottom are the oil rig workers (oil patch workers) and their families. They do all kinds of risky jobs associated with the oil extraction business. And often, they end up paying a very high price for their hazardous profession. Lastly, somewhere in the middle are the oil company executives (landmen, managers, engineers, lawyers, etc.), who are mere pawns in the larger schemes. The depiction of inequity and inequality is stark, perhaps capitalism has a knack for handing over such gifts to our society.

A bunch of colourful characters

The series focuses firmly on landman Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), his wife Angela Norris (Ali Larter), his son Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland), and his daughter Ainsley Norris (Michelle Randolph). They are all interesting characters, to say the least. One of the most likeable things about these Norris family members is that they all possess quite a bit of street smartness, empathy, compassion, and a helping nature.

Besides, the Norris family, we also get a chance to learn about Ariana (Paulina Chávez), the love interest of one of the Norris. She is a single young mother. Although, she looks weak, but then she is a tough cookie. Hopefully, in the upcoming seasons, we will get to learn much more (in-depth) about the other supporting characters, including the lady lawyer.

Performances of the (Males & Females) Actors

Well, it seems Billy Bob Thornton has relished playing the author-backed role of Tommy Norris, the landman. He has an endearing and winsome screen presence. Moreover, both Ali Larter (Angela Norris) and Michelle Randolph (Ainsley Norris) add a healthy amount of glitz and glamour to this dry tale about the oil business. No doubt, they boost zip and oomph.

On the other hand, Jacob Lofland portrays the sincere and ambitious young man Cooper Norris quite well. Also, Paulina Chávez does justice to her character of Ariana, the smart young lady, who has been dealt a painful and complicated deck of cards in her life. Then, there is Kayla Wallace, who has played foxy and ferocious lawyer Rebecca Falcone, with a lot of style. Most likely, we are going to see more of her run-ins with the landman in future.

The conclusion

Texas’ oil business is rough and it is certainly not for the faint-hearted people. Only the toughest can survive and thrive in this cut-throat but lucrative oil business. The following monologue in the first season finale scene suggests that Tommy was perhaps speaking to himself. Possibly, he was issuing a warning to himself. Or maybe he was attempting to psyche himself up, as he has to take on a bigger corporate responsibility in future.

Tommy Norris aka Landman (talks to wild coyote): You better run, buddy. They kil coyotes around here. 

Given the intriguing cliffhanger ending, we look forward to watching its next season. All in all, Landman is an entertaining drama series to watch, we enjoyed every episode.

FM Rating

Poster

Spoilers Alerts: Summary of Ten (10) Episodes

In our Focus magazine,we have reviewed quite a few series created by Taylor Sheridon. he keeps churning one show after another like a busy assembly line. So, in case, you wish to read about the serials created by him, then check them out: 1883, Yellowstone, Tulsa King, etc.

Awards Nominations: Landman (S1/2024-25) Series

Bonus YouTube Video Clips from the Landman:
Tommy Explains Why Even Wind Turbines Depend on the Oil Industry,&
 Monty Argues with Oil Execs.

The Poster and the Featured Image of the Landman (Season 1/2024-25) Series are credited to Paramount+.