8 Shocking Moments from ‘Landman’ Season 1

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In the bustling town of Landman, the made-up M-TEX Oil company is flourishing. This success is largely due to the diligence of the petroleum landman and Operations Vice President, Tommy Norris (played by Billy Bob Thornton). No matter what challenges arise, be it an explosion or a cartel issue, Norris handles them with ease. While Thornton may not share the global fame of other actors that Taylor Sheridan has worked with, his talent is undeniable. His portrayals of Lorne Malvo in Fargo and Billy McBride in Goliath remain indelible in the minds of many viewers.

In Thornton’s newest ride, he and the other actors seem quite at ease, and their comfort is evident. The acting across the board is excellent, but there’s more to this show than just top-notch performances. Similar to other Taylor Sheridan productions, Landman leans heavily on dramatic tension to drive the narrative forward. scarcely an episode goes by without a significant event unfolding. Some of these unexpected events can be rationalized, while others leave us scratching our heads, pondering what ideas may have been going through Sheridan’s mind and his team.

8
Ainsley Overshares Details About Her Love Life

Episode: “Landman”

In the debut of the play “Landman“, Tommy’s somewhat bothersome teenage daughter Ainsley arrives with her imposing boyfriend, who is a well-known high school football star. Naturally, he grows worried and starts inquiring about their relationship. Eventually, she reveals more than necessary, perhaps unwittingly so. During a football match, Ainsley discloses quite a few explicit details about her romantic life, leaving her father utterly speechless.

The Mandatory Premiere Shocker to Get People Talking

It’s no wonder that such events unfold in the debut episode itself. The initial scene sparked quite a conversation among viewers, with numerous commentators pointing out the questionable nature of the dialogue. This, likely, was Sheridan’s tactic to draw more attention to the show. The controversial opening scene of Yellowstone, where John Dutton shoots a horse, also managed to convert casual viewers into dedicated followers.

7
Gallino Rescues Tommy From the Cartel

Episode: “The Crumbs of Hope”

As the first season draws to a close, Tommy is once more abducted by the cartel. They subject him to brutal treatment within the cellar of a tavern, and at the brink of his death, Jimenez prepares to end his life. However, suddenly, the cartel leader, Gallino (played by Andy Garcia), makes an appearance and slays all the assassins present. He subsequently forces Tommy to collaborate with him on the oil business.

A New and Complicated Business Relationship

In the event that Tommy needed rescuing, it would likely be a SWAT team called to the scene following M-TEX’s report. However, surprisingly, the individual from “The Godfather: Part III” is the one involved. How will Tommy navigate this unexpected and unwanted business partnership in Season 2? It should make for an interesting watch. Yet, if there’s anyone equipped to handle such difficulties, it’s him.

6
Oil Rig Blowout

Episode: “Landman”

Towards the end of the first episode, Cooper is at the oil rig. At a certain point, the more experienced workers ask him to fetch a wrench. As he takes a few steps away, an explosion occurs, claiming the lives of three men. Although he survives, this incident deeply affects Cooper as he’s still relatively new on the job and the event leaves him traumatized.

Michael Peña’s Character is Killed Off

The explosion comes as a surprise, but the demise of Michael Peña’s character, Armando Medina, leaves viewers stunned even more so. Known for his roles in “Narcos: Mexico” and “Jack Ryan,” Peña has significantly impacted the small screen. With such a distinguished career, it was anticipated that he would be a key figure. However, sadly, due to his role in the pilot, Medina’s name now stands among unforgettable characters who don’t last long in the series.

5
A Rig Worker Gets Crushed to Death by Drill Pipes

Episode: “Where is Home?”

Tom saw a conversation taking place with a supervisor perched on a tower of drill pipes. Shortly after, the towering pile crumbled, pinning the man by his neck. Recognizing that moving the equipment from the victim’s chest could prove fatal, Tom decided to leave him as he was and dialed emergency services instead. Regrettably, the supervisor didn’t survive until help arrived.

The Dangers of the Job

Without a doubt, one of the most shocking moments in the entire series was the accident, serving as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the oil industry. Given the unpredictability of events, it’s crucial that workers remain vigilant at all times. Tragically, the injured individual pleads for a phone to contact his wife and bid her farewell.

Notably, this series is based on a real-life event. As shared by the series co-creator, Christian Wallace, his uncle – a former oil field worker – once narrated a tale about an individual who met a tragic end when a pipe structure unexpectedly collapsed on him.

4
Monty’s Death

Episode: “The Crumbs of Hope”

As a passionate film buff, I can’t help but reflect on John Hamm’s unforgettable portrayal of Monty Miller, M-TEX owner, in Season 1. Tragically, his character Monty suffered a heart attack and despite undergoing a third bypass surgery, his health didn’t improve enough to receive a new heart. Heartbreakingly, he passed away, leaving an indelible mark on the small screen as one of the most surprising TV deaths.

Monty Was Slowly Becoming One of TV’s Coolest Bosses

It’s hard to imagine that Hamm would be let go so quickly, considering he was such an essential element of the show and was steadily gaining popularity as one of television’s most endearing bosses. Moreover, his impeccable style and composed manner made us think of Hamm’s character from Mad Men. Most viewers would have anticipated him overcoming this health issue. However, we were taken aback by an unexpected turn of events, which opened up opportunities for Tommy to assume larger roles.

3
Cooper Gets Assaulted

Episode: “Where is Home”

After Ariana’s husband dies, Cooper becomes overly affectionate towards her, which makes Manuel uncomfortable. However, Cooper is too infatuated to heed the warning. With Ariana appearing to return his feelings and even kissing him in front of Manuel as a form of revenge, Manuel eventually confronts Cooper physically, leading to such severe injuries that Cooper needs hospitalization.

Wrong Move

You might think that given Manuel’s character and Cooper’s family background, Manuel would tread carefully around him. However, unexpectedly, Manuel makes a reckless move, which is surprising since Cooper is the son of a powerful Texas landman. In other words, we would assume that Manuel would be intimidated by Cooper due to his father’s status, but he instead acts imprudently, and as expected, faces the consequences.

2
Angela and Ainsely Take the Members of the Retirement Home to a Strip Club

Episode: “Wolfcamp”

During the series, Angela convinces Ainsley to join her in an endeavor to liven up a retirement home by entertaining its members. This includes a plan she has, which might lead them to a nightclub, if all goes as planned. However, Angela’s strategy takes an unexpected turn when they discover the club doesn’t have male dancers. In response, Ainsley asks her latest boyfriend, Ryder, to step up and emulate a popular male stripper named Magic Mike, demonstrating his affection towards her.

Typical Mommy-Daughter Move

In my opinion, one might wonder if such an unconventional activity as a visit to a strip club would be suitable or accepted in typical retirement communities, considering the generally conservative nature and reduced sexual activity among elderly individuals. However, given Angela and Ainsley’s vivacious and sexually expressive personalities on screen, their decision to participate seems fitting and consistent with their characters.

1
An Oil Tank Truck Crashes Into a Plane

Episode: “Landman”

Two drug traffickers are swiftly transferring large amounts of cocaine from a van to a private jet. Simultaneously, an oil tanker is observed racing along the road. However, the driver is no longer alive, his foot stuck on the accelerator, leading the truck to collide with the plane and trigger a massive explosion.

A Rare Kind of Accident

Despite the fact that the expansion of the oil industry in Texas has led to a rise in accidents on U.S. Route 285, colloquially known as the Highway to Hell or Death Highway, it’s uncommon to witness a truck slamming into an aircraft. This plot device serves to intensify the conflict between the oil industry and the cartels in the show. Later on, we discover that the plane wasn’t associated with the drug dealers; it had been stolen from M-TEX. Once again, Tommy faces a significant and vexing challenge, but he manages to resolve it effectively.

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2025-02-10 00:03