Landman, a show made by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, goes deep into the dangerous world of West Texas oil rigs. The Paramount+ series, which was based on the Boomtown podcast, shows how the lives of roughnecks and billionaires are changing the economy, politics and climate. Since its premiere on November 17, 2024 the show has captivated viewers with its realistic portrayal of the oil boom and the personal stakes that are at stake.
Where We Left Off
In Episode 2, the effects of a terrible explosion on—an oil rig—set the stage for tragedy and tension. Tommy Norris, the show’s main landman, had to deal with the destruction while also trying to keep his personal relationships from falling apart. At the same time, his son Cooper Norris was suffering from survivor’s guilt after losing his crew. Corporate meddling, family fights and the threat of a storm of legal and moral problems made things worse.
Landman Season 1 Episode 3 Recap: Angela Returns
Angela, Tommy Norris’s ex-wife, comes to Odessa, and her presence throws off the delicate balance in Tommy’s life right away. Her very first demand? A trip to the country club with Ainsley, their daughter. While they drink margaritas, Angela’s careless spending on Monty Miller’s tab and her short skirts catch his eye— which makes Tommy mad.
Ainsley still feels hurt over Dakota, so she thinks about getting even with him until she finds out he’s seeing one of her friends. She is so sad that she joins her mother in drinking tequila to drown her feelings. Angela and Ainsley are both drunk and passed out when Tommy gets back. Dale Bradley doesn’t want to help, but Tommy gets them home. Later, Ainsley tells Angela that she wants to live with her dad even though Angela has custody of her.
The moment when you tell Angela the news is very emotional. Angela is saddened by—Ainsley’s choice but she accepts it because she can’t handle living alone anymore. Tommy tentatively suggests that they get back together, but Angela says no because Tommy is too busy with work.
Tommy Faces Mounting Corporate Pressure
As Monty Miller tries to deal with the fallout from the terrible plane crash and the deadly oil rig blowout, tensions within his company reach a boiling point. Some people want him to blame Tommy, but Monty refuses because he knows how useful Tommy is in handling crises. Still, Tommy is given by Monty to deal with the growing number of issues, beginning with TTP’s deposition.
Monty hires lawyer Clay Chandler to deal with the fallout from the blowout. Chandler tells Tommy to make friends with Rebecca Falcone—a tough corporate lawyer. At first, their interactions are tense because Rebecca wants everyone to be responsible, but Tommy is more focused on getting things done.
On the way to the crash site, they get into a fight over safety violations and bad business practices. Rebecca stops moving when she sees a rattlesnake, which breaks up the tension. Tommy kills the snake, which saves her life and could lead to them working together, even though it’s not easy.
Cooper’s Journey in the Patch
Cooper is still troubled by the deaths of his crew, and the families of the dead are mean to him. Cooper stays strong during a fight with two cousins of the victims that almost turns violent. This impresses “Boss,” the new crew leader. Even though the other roughnecks are still angry, Boss asks Cooper to join his team.
Cooper goes to see the families of the victims, starting with Luis’s widow, because he wants to make things right. Cooper tells the Medina family about his grief and survivor’s guilt over a tense meal, making a tenuous connection with them. Ariana, who lost her husband Elvio Medina, finds comfort in Cooper’s company, but Elvio’s cousins are upset about their new friendship.
No matter what the threats are, Cooper goes to work with Boss’s crew. His first day on the job is anything but smooth. Boss shows his power over the team by making them wait while he gets coffee for everyone.
In Episode 3, we learn more about the personal and professional problems that the Norris family and—M-Tex Oil are facing. Angela and Ainsley’s choices make Tommy think about what’s most important to him, and Monty’s refusal to give up Tommy shows how complicated loyalty and blame can be. Cooper’s decision to stay in the patch, on the other hand, sets up future conflicts and partnerships. After everything has been said and done, it’s clear that each character is fighting their own battle, on and off the oil field.
Keep reading Landman for more exciting drama.
Landman Season 1 Episode 4 Recap: “The Sting of Second Chances”
