Landman Season 2’s Yellowstone Nod Just Made Taylor Sheridan’s Replacement Show 10x Better

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Season 2 of Landman is starting to resemble Yellowstone, even referencing a key storyline from Yellowstone involving John Dutton (Kevin Costner) in its second episode, “Sins of the Father.” When Landman first launched in December 2024, coinciding with the final season of Yellowstone, it was often seen as a potential successor. However, the story of Tommy Norris hadn’t quite measured up until now.

Although Landman explores large-scale industries in the West, it doesn’t delve as deeply into family relationships as the Duttons. We regularly see Tommy’s former wife, Angela (Ali Larter), and their daughter, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), along with his son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland). The addition of Sam Elliott’s character also enhanced Tommy’s family life and broadened its scope.

Sam Elliott’s Landman Character Explained: Who Is T.L.?

Before the second season of Landman begins, the show revealed a new cast member: Dermot Mulroney. Initially, it wasn’t clear what role he’d play, but a recent trailer confirmed he’ll be Tommy Norris’ father. In a phone conversation, Thornton’s character refers to Mulroney as “pop,” hinting at their family dynamic.

The series opens with Elliott being introduced, watching the sunset from his care home. His character, T.L., receives the devastating news of his wife Dorthy’s death, making an already sad situation even worse. Meanwhile, Tommy learns his mother has passed away at the close of the first episode, sharing the news with Angela.

Sam Elliott’s Return Unlocks A New Side Of Tommy Norris

In the second episode, Tommy’s father returns as the Norris family continues to cope with Dorothy’s passing. Meanwhile, Cooper, now successful after striking oil, turns to his father for guidance on what to do next. They spend the day together, traveling around Texas while Tommy seeks his son’s advice on both his personal life and business ventures.

Tommy and Cooper went to see T.L., and during their visit, they learned that Dorothy had a difficult relationship with her son. Tommy explained that the woman he knew was very different from the one his father loved, to the point where he deliberately kept Cooper from meeting his grandmother.

Driving home, Tommy reflects on how having Cooper only on weekends likely worked out for the best, admitting he didn’t have a good role model for fatherhood. He recalls a difficult childhood, where he experienced abuse from his father, who was an oil rig worker and struggled with alcohol, and was let down by his mother’s cocaine addiction.

You know, there’s this really powerful scene with Tommy and Cooper. Tommy basically warns Cooper that he’ll probably end up parenting his kids the same way he was raised – like it’s this inevitable cycle. But Cooper pushes back, telling Tommy he actually managed to break that pattern, that he feels like he did a good enough job as a dad, and that he loves him. It’s a huge moment because you see Tommy, this usually stoic guy, silently start to cry while he’s driving. It’s a surprisingly emotional reveal and really shows how much Cooper’s words mean to him.

T.L. Makes Landman A Stronger Yellowstone Replacement

Although Norris occasionally shows vulnerability, the scene with Tommy and Cooper in Season 2, Episode 2, is the first time viewers see beyond his usual sarcasm and humor. This interaction adds surprising depth to Thornton’s character, significantly improving the series Landman by allowing its main character to grow.

As a film buff, I’ve been really impressed with how Landman is developing. Exploring Tommy’s past adds a really compelling layer, making it feel more like Yellowstone – and I mean that in the best way. Yellowstone wasn’t just about what John Dutton was doing now; it was about the decades of family history and struggles that got him there. And it really dealt with themes of loss and pain. It’s great to see Landman tackling those same emotional depths – it shows it’s more than just a surface-level story.

The latest episode of Landman, titled “Sins of the Father,” directly references Yellowstone. This is the same title as a Yellowstone episode featuring John Dutton’s father, John Dutton II (Dabney Coleman), in a flashback. This clear connection shows that the creator, Taylor Sheridan, is intentionally linking Landman to the world of Yellowstone and offering a subtle clue for dedicated fans.

Now that we’re learning about Tommy’s background and a new set of stories, Landman could become as big and captivating as Yellowstone. Exploring Tommy and his family’s challenges gives actor Jefferson White the chance to show more depth and emotion with his character, making him as compelling and easy to connect with as John Dutton was.

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2025-11-27 18:40