Blood, money, and oil: Amazon Prime’s Landman has something for everyone

As someone who opts for sitcoms like Arrested Development or wholesome shows like Gilmore Girls, Landman might just be my new favourite watch. With its stacked cast and constant plot-twists, Landman practically forces you to keep pressing ‘Next Episode’. While many shows try to market themselves as having something for everyone to enjoy, Landman really does. Its ambiguous genre, switching between Western, Drama and Comedy, covers all interests and keeps the plot moving. There isn’t a single filler scene in the series – let alone a filler episode.  

I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never seen Billy Bob Thornton in anything else before, but that’s definitely going to change. His deadpan delivery as he navigates his teenage daughter’s rampant sex life and his wife’s tantrums provides the majority of the show’s comedy. His range as Tommy Norris is fascinating; he shifts from a loving father to a stressed crisis executive in seconds, without even changing his facial expression.  

Thornton’s spectacular performance is aided by Jon Hamm as Monty Miller, an oil tycoon, and Ali Larter who plays Angela, Tommy’s ex/new wife. Monty comes across as an influential figure and can appear ruthless at times, but his endearing friendship with Tommy and their mutual respect for each other ultimately makes him a fan-favourite. 

Landman’s plot is entirely unpredictable 

It quickly becomes clear from Angela’s first scene that she’s a completely new kind of character. She’s morally ambiguous, having driven across the country to flirt with her ex-husband while still being married to the rich man she left him for. However, it’s impossible not to be fascinated by her dominating personality, frequent mood swings and relaxed way of thinking. Each character is intensely complex in their own way and utterly unique.  

Landman’s plot is entirely unpredictable and throughout the season there are at least three cliffhangers. Every scene is well thought out and serves its own purpose. An emotionally intense scene will often be followed by Ainsley and Angela’s trips to the nursing home, undercutting all tension while increasing the shock value as the repercussions are revealed.  

The pilot episode skips all introduction and jumps straight into Tommy and his family’s life. As they all follow separate paths, it’s impossible to know Tommy and Cooper are father and son until their first interaction. As we watch Cooper finally get to grips with his career and bond with his team, an unexpected tragedy blows up everything we thought we knew about the show. This pattern is repeated through the rest of the season, making sure you’re always entertained. It’s also the only show I know that features a cartel without making drugs a main part of the story. 

Each character feels real in a way that isn’t common in television

Episode five ends with a jaw-dropping scene, leaving us to wonder whether a beloved character survived, but because of the events of episode six, Cooper’s fate is entirely forgotten until his family receives a call from the hospital. The final episode is completely wild in its own way and while you may be able to guess what direction it’s headed in, you’ll still be sat in shocked silence as the end-credits roll.  

Whilst Landman is also a victim of a truncated ten-episode season, and ends on a ridiculously stressful cliffhanger, I don’t feel robbed like I did after the second season of Squid Game. Each episode covers a new, interesting storyline which feeds into the wider plot. I’m very guilty of using television as background noise, but with Landman, there was not one second where I felt the need to look at my phone.  

Even though the rest of the show is completely genius, I couldn’t help but feel that Cooper’s relationship with Ariana was entirely unnecessary. Every time they appeared on screen, I knew I was about to be subjected to uncomfortable awkwardness. Apart from their out of place interactions, the surrounding circumstances were slightly problematic. They both acknowledge these problems but still make no effort to fix it. However, their relationship allows for some of the most interesting scenes, like episode five’s plot-twist and Tommy’s heartfelt speech to them both, which unveils a new side of his character. 

Landman deserves credit for its complex plotlines and even more complicated characters. You can’t help but love Tommy and his family, but you also can’t help loving the characters you hate. Each character feels real in a way that isn’t common in television and it’s absolutely captivating. The next season has high standards to meet, and I personally can’t wait to see my favourite characters on screen again, and to find out if all of them survived the final episode.