Warning: The Following Contains Spoilers forLandmanSeason 1, Episode 10, “The Crumbs of Hope”
Taylor Sheridan’s latest series,Landman, wrapped its inaugural season yesterday, and we now have a little more insight intowhat that big cameo during the finale means for the futureshould it be renewed for a second outing. StarringBilly Bob Thorntonas Tommy Norris,Landmanisset in the oilfields of West Texaswhere roughnecks and wildcat billionaires try to get rich quick in the oil business as oil rigs begin to dominate the state. The series also stars such heavyweights as Demi Moore, Ali Larter, and Jon Hamm.
Sitting down withVarietyto discuss theLandmanSeason 1 finale, “The Crumbs of Hope,” Thornton and co-creator Christian Wallace dished onAndy Garcia’s surprise appearance as Galino, the cartel boss responsible for having Tommy kidnapped and tortured. However, instead of putting the final nail in his coffin, Galino proposed a partnership between the two, and for Thornton, he said sharing the screen for the first time with his longtime friend was a moment that felt very “real.”
“Andy is such a great guy and great actor, and when we did those scenes at the end of the last episode, it felt so good, because we kind of had us two old veterans going head-to-head. It was quite an experience, and I have to say every moment of it felt real. Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart. The other guys were hired to work for him, but now Tommy’s talking to the man himself. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. Since he is so smart, who knows what Tommy is going to get tricked into?”
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As to what Garcia’s appearance means for the story going forward? “The cartel and the oil industry are kind of these odd neighbors living side by side in West Texas,” said Wallace. “Now Andy’s character is thinking he is going to make a change and utilize that proximity in a way that could benefit him.” It should be noted thatLandmanhas yet to be officially renewed for Season 2, but given its popularity, we’d be surprised if it weren’t. While it struggled a little to find its footing at the start, by the time yesterday’s finale came around, the series had solidified itself as another Sheridan hit in the same vein asTulsa KingandMayor of Kingstown.
What a Tommy and Galino Partnership in ‘Landman’ Could Look Like
With Galino and Tommy now seemingly getting into bed with one another, their partnership could be mutually beneficial for both parties. Granted, it would surely be a rocky one, but with Thornton’s character receiving a promotion after the death of Hamm’s Monty Miller, he’s more in a position to work behind the scenes. This could prove lucrative for Galino, who will no doubt offer to provide protection in exchange for a piece of M-Tex.
“What’s the saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” Thornton said. “Tommy figures if he semi-befriends this guy, maybe they can actually work this out, because it is going to happen one way or another.” Indeed, it will, but one can’t help but wonder how long such a partnership will last, and who will end up stabbing who in the back first.
As we await the official confirmation as to the future ofLandman, be sure to check out all 10 episodes of Season 1 streaming now on Paramount+, and watch our interview with Thornton above, where he discusses what it was like workingon Sheridan’s newest hit.
Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs. Based on the notable 11-part podcast “Boomtown,” the series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.
