I Watched The First Two Eps Of Taylor Sheridan’s Landman, And Need To Talk About Why I Like Billy Bob Thornton’s Main Character More Than Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Patriarch

I Watched The First Two Eps Of Taylor Sheridan's Landman, And Need To Talk About Why I Like Billy Bob Thornton’s Main Character More Than Kevin Costner's Yellowstone Patriarch

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated countless virtual worlds and complex narratives, I must confess that I find myself drawn to Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, in Paramount+’s new series, Landman. While John Dutton from Yellowstone holds a special place in my heart, there’s something about the intricate dynamics and emotional depth of Tommy that has me hooked.


In a week, the last episodes of the fifth season of “Yellowstone” will air, and at the same time, Taylor Sheridan’s new series, “Landman,” is set to debut. As an avid fan of the original show, I’m always eager to watch a Paramount+ series by this creator, and “Landman” has caught my attention. One reason for this is that I found Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, more appealing than Kevin Costner’s John Dutton from the start.

To set the record straight, let me clarify that although I’m a fan of “Yellowstone” and find John Dutton to be an impressive patriarch, my feelings for Billy Bob Thornton’s character Tommy in “Landman” have been intensified after watching the first two episodes. The reviews highlight his captivating charisma, the intricacy, and the complexity of his character that leave me finding him more appealing than John Dutton.

I Watched The First Two Eps Of Taylor Sheridan's Landman, And Need To Talk About Why I Like Billy Bob Thornton’s Main Character More Than Kevin Costner's Yellowstone Patriarch

While They’re Both Incredibly Intelligent, Tommy Norris Is Super Messy And John Dutton Is Not

In the television series “Yellowstone,” John Dutton is a character who rarely opens up; he’s known for being rather reserved and solitary. His emotional expressiveness is limited, a choice made by the creators. Over the course of five seasons, I sometimes felt that the show was dull. Despite enjoying the creative methods used to preserve the ranch, I yearned for more emotional depth from him. Yet, John Dutton’s character seemed to embody the traits of calmness, composure, and self-control.

The game isn’t called Tommy’s, I’m afraid. Despite his occasional composure, Tommy tends to be quite disorganized more often than not. As he puts it himself, he can be rather chaotic.

A divorced alcoholic with $500,000 in debt.

It’s clear that he has a multitude of messes to handle on his own, as his role involves overseeing crisis management throughout the oil corporation. This becomes evident in the opening episodes.

A moment that truly made an impact on me, demonstrating his dedication, occurred when he visited an oil field following some of his workers’ unfortunate deaths. To rectify the issue at the mine, he took a hands-on approach by getting close to it and tapping vigorously on a screw to reach the valve. In this effort, he ended up injuring his own finger.

Prior to heading to the hospital, he had a Dr. Pepper and lit up a cigarette. Once at the hospital, he was restless and fidgety, eager to leave. He argued with the doctor and it was quite amusing. His behavior showcased his courage, intelligence, and unpredictable nature – making for an entertaining spectacle on TV.

I Watched The First Two Eps Of Taylor Sheridan's Landman, And Need To Talk About Why I Like Billy Bob Thornton’s Main Character More Than Kevin Costner's Yellowstone Patriarch

John Dutton Is The Yellowstone’s Patriarch, While Tommy Norris Is A Middleman, Making For More Interesting Power Dynamics

One main reason I often pondered that Yellowstone’s final chapter could be more engaging without Kevin Costner’s character is because of the intrigue created by changing and evolving power structures. For nearly five seasons, he has been the dominant figure, with all actions taken by his children serving to uphold him.

With John no longer around, it’s intriguing to witness his children navigating through the chain of authority and vying for power – that’s where the real drama unfolds!

The inherent fight for power is deeply embedded within the character of Billy Bob Thornton’s Landman, as he himself explained during his interview with CBS Mornings. In this role, Tommy, the landman, described his job in these terms:

A landman serves as a liaison between the owners of oil companies and the workers out in the fields. Essentially, my role involves ensuring both parties work effectively to extract oil from the ground while also generating profit for the owner. I’m responsible for acquiring leases on land for drilling purposes and supervising operations. While I don’t typically climb oil rigs myself, I understand the risks involved as I have had experience with it in the past. In many ways, a landman can be considered an enhanced foreman or supervisor. The main danger in this job lies in dealing with people rather than physical tasks.

Jon Hamm’s character wields the top position, placing Thornton in a role akin to an intermediary. He holds power, yet not absolute control, creating intriguing power struggles within the series. In contrast to John Dutton who answers to no one, Tommy must navigate through a more intricate web of influence and authority.

He’s striving to fulfill his responsibilities towards his superior, safeguard his team members, and care for his family. This tension results in some intense situations, adding an enthralling layer of mystery to his personality.

I Watched The First Two Eps Of Taylor Sheridan's Landman, And Need To Talk About Why I Like Billy Bob Thornton’s Main Character More Than Kevin Costner's Yellowstone Patriarch

Tommy Clearly Cares For His Kids, John’s Care Is Not So Obvious

John Dutton is a character who typically conceals his feelings, keeping them hidden and unexpressed. When his son Lee passed away, he showed sorrow but remained composed. In the scene where he branded the Y onto Kayce, it was evident that he was enraged, yet he maintained control. He has a deep affection for Beth that is palpable, though it’s often challenging to discern this through his actions as he seldom shows it openly; only occasionally does he express it verbally.

On one occasion, he embraced Kayce and expressed his affection; this was quite unexpected of him, and I wished it hadn’t been, as I adore those heartfelt moments!

That would never be the case with Tommy Norris.

This landman stands in stark contrast to John Dutton, often displaying his feelings openly, particularly concerning his children. While I have reservations about the portrayal of his daughter in the series, given her age, and the potential objectification she may face due to male gaze, I find their father-daughter dynamic quite endearing. Tommy’s affection for his daughter is heartwarming, and when he learns that her boyfriend has deceived her, he shows remarkable empathy by consoling her tenderly.

Tom shows a capacity for vulnerability, particularly regarding his family, which I find commendable in his character. I eagerly look forward to witnessing this aspect further developed.

In summary, I find John Dutton’s mysterious, powerful demeanor appealing, contributing significantly to the success of Yellowstone. This is because those interacting with him are constantly trying to win his favor or aid while attempting to decipher his feelings towards them. On the other hand, Tommy Norris’ straightforward emotions and intricate professional power dynamic make it less about guesswork, which I appreciate. Consequently, after two episodes, my preference leans more towards Tommy over John.

Meanwhile, let’s monitor how that perspective develops since fresh episodes of Yellowstone (without John Dutton) are broadcast every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on the Paramount Network, and Landman will carry on showing for those who have a Paramount+ subscription on Sundays.

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2024-11-17 23:38