Landman's cast as Tommy Norris, an oil crisis management executive. Throughout the season, he's been working under Monty Morris (Jon Hamm), the CEO of a private oil company called M-Tex, who's been struggling with his health, specifically related to his heart. Episode 8 saw him hospitalized for a surging heart rate, and his condition only worsens in the latest release.
Tommy spends most of the episode reckoning with the fate of his long-time friend and boss, and he's offered an executive position at the company to take over in Monty's absence. Cooper and Ariana begin to discuss their lives together now that the immediate danger is gone, and Cooper develops his plan to make money in the oil industry. Tommy begins to negotiate a path to peace with the Cartel after the accidental military missile strike in episode 8, but it seems like things are going to get worse before they get better in the finale.
Tommy Seeing The Coyote (& It Being Killed) Explained
The Coyote Likely Symbolizes Tommy's Freedom
Landman episode 9 ends with an interesting sequence where Tommy is standing in his backyard after presumably hearing the news of Monty's death. He looks to be contemplating, and he sees a coyote out in the field beyond the yard. He studies it for a moment before the neighbor comes out and shoots it with a rifle, killing it for preying on her pets. There's important symbolism here to break down, relating to the coyote and to the fact that it died, that connects it to Tommy's narrative in the coming episodes.
The coyote's symbolism can be perceived in several different ways, but one idea is that it's representative of Western freedom. Tommy's life isn't perfect, but he has everything he needs within his grasp. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared earlier in the episode to share a monologue about spending time with family and making the most out of life, which Monty ultimately failed to do. The coyote represents Tommy's freedom, and by choosing to follow in Monty's footsteps by taking over the company, he's killing his chance at the freedom to live life like Jones described.
Did Monty Die In Landman Season 1, Episode 9?
Monty Presumably Died Off-Screen
There are two scenes to suggest that Monty didn't make it, but it's hard to say for sure until the finale comes out next week. First, audiences saw Monty in his hospital bed with his heart rate skyrocketing again, resulting in him pushing the help button in panic. Presumably there was an urgent situation of some sort, and with all the conversations regarding his fate earlier in the episode, it seems likely this was the final urgent situation for this character. Later in the episode, Cami calls Tommy, who responds with a solemn expression and his apologies.
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By all s, it seems that Monty has ed away without his children present. This will be an important reminder to Tommy going forward about what's important in life, but he'll still have to balance it with the responsibilities he agreed to for Monty. Tommy will feel indebted to Cami and Monty's children now that their father is gone, and he'll want to do right by them. However, he'll have a power struggle with Rebecca Falcone, as she was offered a role, further complicating matters with the company going forward.
Cooper's Plan For Making Money Explained
Cooper Could Be Doomed To A Similar Path As Monty
Cooper has spent most of Landman season 1 about his idea of getting rich off the oil industry. He's spent limited time on the patch learning the ropes, and now he's come up with a seemingly ingenious plan to gather up enough small wells that larger companies haven't been utilizing. These wells are worth nothing individually, but by grouping them up he can potentially find value, he just needs to take the time to get all the local landowners on board. More importantly at stake is the concept of greed.
The man he speaks to at the end of the episode foreshadows the risk of gaining money and what it does to a person, suggesting that Cooper might become dishonest when he starts earning
Cooper is not a greedy man. His plan is to make enough money to move to Fort Worth with Ariana and live a peaceful life with her. He even compares the oil industry to blackjack, saying he just needs to make enough and then pull out at the right time. The man he speaks to at the end of the episode foreshadows the risk of gaining money and what it does to a person, suggesting that Cooper might become dishonest when he starts earning. Landman has already shown this tale with Monty, and Cooper could be heading down the same path.
Set in West Texas, this series explores the world of oil rigs and the fortunes they create. It portrays a modern upstairs/downstairs narrative of roughnecks and billionaires, highlighting the profound impact on the climate, economy, and geopolitics in these boomtowns.
- Cast
- Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, Colm Feore, Robyn Lively, Drake Rodger, Brook Sill, K.C. Clyde, Rosemary Dominguez, Mustafa Speaks, J.R. Villarreal, Octavio Rodriguez, Michael Pena, Emilio Rivera, Alex Meraz, Alejandro Akara
