Landman Season 2 Episode 8 Review: A Show That’s Lost Its Spark

Landman returned this week with Season 2, Episode 8, and as we inch closer to the finale, it’s hard not to feel underwhelmed. Much like last week, this episode played out as a whole lot of nothing—low on drama, light on momentum, and padded with scenes that didn’t really move the story forward.

At its core, the episode boiled down to just two meaningful moments: Tommy Norris’ meeting with Cammy and his follow-up discussion with Dan Morell. Everything else felt like filler. While I’d love to believe we’re heading toward an explosive finale like we saw in Season 1, the truth is this show no longer feels like the same Landman we once knew.

That said, there were a few quieter, emotional beats—particularly between Tommy and his father, TL—that hinted at where Tommy’s arc may be headed. With that in mind, let’s break down the episode, unpack the ending, and talk honestly about where Season 2 stands right now.

Spoiler warning: This article contains full spoilers for Landman Season 2, Episode 8.

A Disappointing Turn for Landman Season 2

Normally, I save my review for the end—but this week, it feels necessary to start there. What exactly has happened to Landman?

Season 1 was packed with intensity: danger on the rigs, sharp dialogue, real stakes, and characters that felt fully realized. Season 2, by contrast, often feels like we’re just watching Tommy drive from one meeting to the next. The sense of community, camaraderie, and conflict that defined life on the rig has largely vanished.

There was a brief moment where it seemed like that might change—specifically when Cooper was assigned as project lead on the rigs Tommy took from him. That should have been a powder keg of tension. Instead, it went nowhere. The scene felt pointless because the story never circled back to it.

Cooper’s Wasted Character Arc

One of the biggest disappointments this season is Cooper. In Season 1, he had a clear motivation: stepping out of his father’s shadow and proving himself. That internal conflict gave him depth.

Now, his screen time is almost entirely devoted to his relationship with Ariana. While that storyline has its charm, it’s not enough. There’s far more to Cooper than romance, and the show seems to have forgotten that. Even more baffling is the fact that we never saw the fallout from his proposal—despite Episode 7 ending on that exact moment.

His arc feels scattered and unfinished, which is emblematic of the season as a whole.

Removing the Cartel Was a Huge Mistake

Another major issue with Season 2 is the absence of real danger. Removing the cartel storyline stripped the show of its physical threat—something that made Season 1 so gripping.

Yes, there’s financial risk this time around, particularly for Tommy, Cammy, and Deex. But financial jeopardy alone doesn’t carry the same tension as an active enemy. There’s no looming sense of fear, no visceral stakes.

Think back to Season 1:

• Tommy’s encounter with the cartel
• The fatal rig accident
• The explosion
• Cooper being targeted
• Monty’s death
• Tommy being taken by the cartel in the finale

Season 2 doesn’t have a single moment that comes close to matching the intensity of even the smallest of those scenes.

A Troubling Trend as the Finale Approaches

It’s telling that Episode 7 earned the lowest rating in the show’s history—and Episode 8 did little to course-correct. With only two episodes left, the season feels like it’s running out of time to make an impact.

Adding to that frustration are Angela and Danley, whose presence increasingly detracts from the main story. Their scenes often feel disconnected, tonally awkward, and eye-roll inducing. Instead of enriching the narrative, they pull focus away from far more compelling threads.

Considering Taylor Sheridan’s work on 1883 and 1923, this back half of Season 2 feels surprisingly below his usual standard.

Tommy Norris and the $400 Million Gamble

Tommy’s storyline continues to revolve around the missing $400 million Monty never invested into drilling after the rig was destroyed by the hurricane.

Through Charles, Tommy learns there’s only a 10% chance of striking gas if they dig on the damaged site. With odds that bad, he brings Rebecca and Charles to Cammy, hoping to convince her to sue the insurance company instead of risking everything.

Cammy, however, refuses.

Cammy’s Principles and Isolation

Cammy’s decision is driven by principle. MTEX gave its word, and to her, that matters more than probability.

“If we never keep our word, what’s our word worth?”

That line defines Cammy this season. Since Monty’s death, she’s completely alone—no partner, no confidant, no safety net. Her hunger for success has become her anchor, even if it means sacrificing certainty at Wolf Camp Fields for a risky gamble elsewhere.

Her loneliness makes her admirable and tragic at the same time.

Dan Morell: The Real Winner

After Cammy’s decision, Tommy meets with Dan Morell, who agrees to continue backing the project. His reasoning is simple—and ruthless.

Cammy secured her loan with royalties. When she eventually sells the company, Dan stands to make a fortune. The longer the project survives, the more he benefits. In the end, Dan wins regardless—while Cammy, who values success over a payout, ultimately loses.

Tommy and TL: A Quiet but Powerful Contrast

One of the strongest moments of the episode comes in the opening scene with Tommy and his father, TL.

After falling into the pool, TL breaks down, describing his sharp mind as a curse—fully aware of his body failing him and his life nearing its end. He’s devastated by the knowledge that time is running out.

This contrasts sharply with Tommy, who constantly flirts with death through stress, travel, and chaos, often wishing for an end to it all.

TL’s earlier words—“You’ve got it all, but you’re too stupid to see it”—finally land with Tommy. For the first time, he pauses. Breathes. Reflects.

By the episode’s end, TL floating calmly in the pool mirrors a shift in perspective. Where he once fell in helplessly, he now seems at peace. It’s a quiet visual metaphor for acceptance—and possibly a warning for Tommy.

Angela and Danley: Screen Time Wasted

Angela and Danley once again exist in their own disconnected subplot, taking elderly residents to a casino and giving Margaret a makeover.

From awkward video calls to cliché dialogue at the roulette table, their scenes feel unnecessary. Worse, they consume time that could be spent with Cooper on the rigs or deepening the central conflicts.

If these characters were better written, it might work—but as it stands, they feel like distractions.

Rebecca’s Changing Mindset

Rebecca’s arc has also shifted dramatically from Season 1. Once portrayed as a powerful, unshakable figure, she’s now grappling with fear and emotional vulnerability.

After clashing with Charles—who subtly frames Cammy’s decision in a way that traps Rebecca—he suggests that Rebecca is on track to become a lonely, miserable old woman. The moment hits hard because it’s clear she’s thought the same thing herself.

This suggests her mindset may finally change as the finale approaches. Perhaps balance—not power—will become her new priority.

Final Thoughts on Landman Season 2 Episode 8

Ultimately, this episode was a disappointment. With only two episodes left, Season 2 has a lot to prove.

I’m not giving up yet. I’ll keep watching because I want to see how the story ends—and because I know how good Landman can be. But knowing how strong Season 1 was only makes this decline more frustrating.

There’s still time for a turnaround. Let’s hope the final episodes deliver something worthy of what this show once was.

What did you think of Landman Season 2, Episode 8?

Share your thoughts below, and if you’re following the season closely, keep an eye out for more episode breakdowns and explanations.