Billy Bob Thornton Unpacks ‘Landman’ Season Finale and Offers Message to L.A. Fire Victims

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[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of Landman, “The Crumbs of Hope.”]

Perilous beginnings looped back around in the finale of Landman.

Tommy Norris, Billy Bob Thornton‘s character from the new Paramount+ series about the Texas oil industry, ended season one as he started – with a sense of danger, but perhaps even more so. This was seen in Sunday’s finale episode.

In “The Crumbs of Hope,” Tom assumes leadership of M-Tex Oil after his longtime friend and superior, Monty Miller (portrayed by Jon Hamm), is critically ill due to heart problems. With Monty nearing death, the responsibility of running the multi-billion dollar oil company falls on Tom. However, he soon faces intense pressure to maintain profits for Monty’s legacy, which includes his wife Cami Miller (Demi Moore) and their two daughters.

Tommy consents to comply with Monty’s requests and drill some oil wells to boost output and financial success for the company. At the same time, he is grappling with stress from his personal life: his headstrong teenage daughter Aynsley (portrayed by Michelle Randolph) and her budding relationship; his ex-wife Angela (performed by Ali Larter), who has recently reconciled but requires attention; and his strong-willed son Cooper (depicted by Jacob Lofland), who is now in love with the widow of an M-Tex laborer’s colleague.

Later on, Tommy gets kidnapped once more by Jimenez (Alex Meraz) and the cartel that has been causing him trouble throughout the season. This kidnapping turns out to be particularly brutal, bloody, and agonizing for Tommy. However, just when things seem dire, an unexpected character, played by guest actor Andy Garcia, intervenes – but at a cost. The season concludes with Tommy, who is physically battered, finding himself in a position where his actions are still bound, as he strikes a deal with Gallino, the cartel boss portrayed by Garcia, to share territory with the cartel.

Recently, The Hollywood Reporter had a chat with Thornton over Zoom at his home in San Luis Obispo, California, to talk about the conclusion of ‘Landman’, performing his own kidnapping sequences, and how the last scene paves the way for his aspirations for a potential second season.

However, amidst the ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County, Thornton’s thoughts were not solely on his acclaimed show. Instead, he voiced his sympathies to those affected by the fires, saying to THR, “My heart goes out to everyone in L.A. struggling with these terrible infernos.” Having experienced losing a home in the Malibu fires back in ’93, Thornton understands the gravity of the situation. He emphasized, “We must remember that life, limb, and family are what truly matter every day.

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What did you enjoy most while filming Landman after the show wrapped for season one?

To begin with, I found it truly enjoyable being part of this team. They were exceptionally skilled, always giving their best each day, which brought us closer as a group. I’d say it’s one of the most entertaining teams I’ve worked with; going to set every day was a delight. Performing the scenes written by Taylor [Sheridan, co-creator] was a privilege, as his dialogue beautifully captured the essence of our characters. Speaking his words felt like telling our story. Paramount was incredibly supportive throughout, genuinely rooting for us. We never anticipated it would become the success it is now; suddenly, we had a sensation of having a monster on our hands. Overall, it was an incredible journey sharing this tale, and it meant a lot to all of us.

“As a devoted fan, I found the finale to be more than just an ending; it felt like a chilling prologue, with Tommy being snatched away by the cartel yet again, but this time in a brutal and gory fashion. The graphic scenes of his beatings, dousing with gasoline, and the harrowing image of rusty nails being driven into his leg left me reeling.”

Absolutely, I took on that task myself. Interestingly, not once, but twice, a load was placed upon my head – yes, it was me hiding beneath the sack. Remarkably, this was my debut working alongside Andy Garcia, despite our longstanding friendship. However, our dynamic felt incredibly genuine and authentic as two seasoned veterans found themselves in a confrontation. I believe Andy and I make a strong team in such roles.

In such situations, one must truly immerse oneself as if it’s a real event happening. On that particular night, I genuinely felt that way. To top it off, I was utterly drained. By the time we filmed the outdoor scene, I hardly had the strength to stay upright. Therefore, there wasn’t any acting involved in that scene. I leaned against the wall between each take. (Chuckles)

How do you feel about the young cartel leader disregarding the potential consequences of eliminating Tommy and confronting a major oil tycoon and corporation in this manner?

Often, they resemble the sidekicks from old films, functioning more as assistants who aim to please their superior. As I’m now interacting with Andy’s character, the leader of this operation, I find myself engaging with someone who is more intelligent, which can be both advantageous and challenging. On one hand, his intelligence allows for thoughtful conversation, but on the other, it leaves room for uncertainty as to what unexpected moves he might make.

With the others, it’s mostly muscle they rely on. They seem eager to cause trouble! I believe their initial intent might have been to intimidate or even harm me when I retaliated verbally. Perhaps if I had remained passive, things wouldn’t have escalated. These are men accustomed to a dangerous criminal lifestyle. Sometimes, a simple insult can trigger a violent response. So, it’s unclear how much they had considered their actions, and they discovered later that they were on the verge of making a mistake.

Is Tommy a man of faith, or does he just see himself as someone who is lucky?

It seems to me that Tommy navigates life while fully aware of the numerous pressures he faces – from his oil business, family matters, the recent loss of his boss, and taking over the reins. He appears to concentrate heavily on his job, almost as if he’s switched to autopilot, because dwelling too much would likely lead him down a path similar to Jon Hamm’s character. I believe Tommy recognizes the responsibility he has and is highly driven and focused on achieving success in his endeavors. I don’t think he desires failure.

So, does he want to take over M-Tex Oil after Monty’s (Jon Hamm) death?

It seems unlikely that he’s eager for it, but he recognizes it’s necessary. I believe there’s a sense of obligation towards his former friend and superior, given his initial wishes. Moreover, due to his expertise in the field, he understands that the task is best suited to him. He’s reluctant about taking on this role, but feels compelled nonetheless. And when I mention the suit, I don’t mean literally (). I highly doubt Tommy will ever opt for a change of clothes.

In the scene where Tommy’s wife and daughter are eager to celebrate their victory, but you’re pointing out that Monty is likely to pass away and that Tommy might need to step in to keep the company afloat, Tommy delivers a powerful line: “Men may die, but oil companies don’t. My job isn’t going anywhere.” Given the significant pressures from both his family and the oil business (including dealing with cartels), it begs the question: what could potentially end Tommy’s life first — the oil business or his family?

(Laughs) You understand, don’t you? Tommy deeply cares for his family, especially his son. They share a striking resemblance, as Cooper has the same stubbornness as Tommy. It’s distressing to see one’s own offspring in peril. Now, what he hates is when Cooper says, “Oh, by the way, I’m about to take a risk.” He values his son greatly, but every day seems like a struggle with him.

It appears that his wife Angela, formerly his ex-wife, may be reconciling. Despite the fact that they appear to be two distinct individuals on the outside, there seems to be an enduring connection between them. This bond has not faded and it’s evident they have feelings for each other. However, cohabiting with each other is proving challenging due to their contrasting daily routines and preferences. In essence, they love each other deeply, but finding common ground day-to-day is a struggle.

Speaking casually,

“I have an 20-year-old daughter named Ainsley who’s currently in college. If she ever said some of the things Michelle (my on-screen daughter) says about her love life to me, I would be taken aback! In truth, whenever Michelle delivers such lines, it feels like no acting is needed because it’s so relatable.

Have you got any info regarding a second season? Additionally, could you explain the symbolic meaning behind Tommy and the coyote standing off at the end of the final episode?

As of now, there hasn’t been an official confirmation about season two, but given the show’s success, it seems likely that we might see another season. However, I can’t guarantee this as I don’t have definitive information yet.

In our discussions with Taylor, we found that the original coyote scenes contained more dialogue, but we decided they were essentially silent for the reason that these moments symbolize Tommy encountering this wild coyote. I believe that when Tommy looks at the coyote, it’s as if he’s saying, “Here they come, they are coming for me,” or, “Are they coming for me? Am I the coyote, am I looking myself in the eye? Am I this lone wolf out here, just running across these plains trying to avoid getting killed? Or is the coyote the cartel?” It seems that this scene symbolizes Tommy struggling to understand his own identity. I think he’s not only staring at the coyote, but also death itself, right in the eye.

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The full season of Landman is now streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-01-13 07:55