The penultimate episode of Landman, titled ‘WolfCamp,’ delivered compelling character developments and introduced themes of ambition, freedom, and the potential consequences of choices faced by the main characters. With major plot twists, the episode is poised to reshape the narrative as the first season approaches its finale.
Leading the cast, Billy Bob Thornton portrays Tommy Norris, the oil crisis management executive, whose responsibilities intensify amid the deteriorations of his mentor Monty Morris, played by Jon Hamm. Monty’s health takes center stage as he suffers from his fifth heart attack, pushing Tommy closer to the precipice of leadership. The episode’s beginning showcases tensions as Tommy addresses the aftermath of military miscommunication which resulted in the accidental shooting of cartel runners—an act echoing the precarious nature of life within the oil business.
During the emotional hospital scenes, viewers see Monty attempting to reconcile his strained relationship with his family, as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shares heartfelt life lessons with him. Monty resonates with the idea of family time, regretfully realizing his neglect of it as he relays the news of his own impending retirement to Tommy: "You’re doing the work already, you might as well have the title." His disclosure thrusts Tommy straight toward vice-presidential responsibilities, albeit with increased pressure from Rebecca Falcone, who is also vying for power within the company.
Outside the hospital, Tommy grapples with mixed feelings of responsibility and loss, especially as he ponders the fate of Monty. Just as viewers start piecing together Monty’s fate, Tommy gets the phone call confirming the worst: Monty’s death. This pivotal moment undoubtedly shifts Tommy’s direction, burdening him with loyalty to Monty’s family as he now has to navigate the treacherous corporate waters with growing hostility from both the cartel and budding company rivalries.
Meanwhile, character Cooper finds himself unable to detach emotionally or mentally from his aspirations of monetary success. His plan—sourcing small, undervalued oil wells and aggregatively selling them—presents shades of greed. He equates his pursuit of success with gambling, claiming he just needs to win big and then pull out. The episode examines whether Cooper can maintain his integrity or if he is destined to follow Monty down the unethical path of ambition.
The culmination of the episode includes Tommy’s unsettling encounter with a coyote, which becomes significant as it symbolizes freedom—the freedom Tommy risks sacrificing by assuming Monty's former role. The moment captures Tommy's contemplation post-Monty's death, just before his neighbor disrupts the peace by shooting the coyote for stalking her pets. This jarring image resonates with Tommy's internal conflict, akin to Monty's battle with life's choices. It's about grasping freedom versus succumbing to corporate encumbrances.
Viewers observe Tommy wrestling with his new role and burgeoning corporate interests as symbolic moments like this signal potential downfalls awaiting those who are ensnared by riches. What lies next is tethered not just to Monty’s legacy but to the precarious power dynamics now present with Rebecca also pushing for influence within M-Tex.
The episode functions as both heart-wrenching and filled with mounting tension as Tommy must navigate this new terrain compounded by the loss of his mentor and the looming threats from unsavory characters. It raises the stakes not just for the characters but sets up the finale for explosive revelations and emotional reckonings.
Landman Episode 9 is available for streaming on Paramount+, as audiences now eagerly await the season finale. The exploration of greed, friendship, and the pursuit of power will undoubtedly culminate, leaving viewers both fulfilled and anxious about the characters' fates.