Landman pulled a clever move straight out of Yellowstone Season 4’s playbook, and it might just silence one of the loudest critiques Taylor Sheridan has faced. The series, diving deep into the world of oil exploration and corporate drama, leaned on a genius storytelling technique that fans of Yellowstone instantly recognized.
For viewers who’ve felt Sheridan’s storytelling could get too straightforward, this twisty approach offered something fresh, proving he’s still full of surprises.
Taylor Sheridan’s Redemption Arc: Landman Lawyer Brings Depth to His Female Characters
Taylor Sheridan might just be redeeming himself. The Yellowstone creator, often called out for his weak writing of female characters, seems to have found a solution in Landman. With the lawyer character (Kayla Wallace) stepping in as the “Summer Higgins” of this Texas oil drama, Sheridan has a shot at undoing the damage caused by the criticized ex-wife and daughter characters.
Landman, Sheridan’s latest western, launched with a bang, breaking Paramount+ premiere records since 1923. Starring Billy Bob Thornton as the brash Tommy, the show’s first episode had viewers hooked. But Episode 2 nearly tanked the momentum, focusing more on objectifying characters than storytelling.
Episode 3 brought a much-needed course correction. Entered the lawyer—sharp, city-bred, and unimpressed by dirt or Tommy’s antics. Her dynamic with Thornton mirrored Yellowstone Season 4’s introduction of Summer, injecting tension and a touch of humor. Meanwhile, Tommy’s oil-laden monologue on humanity’s survival landed with an ominous thud. His grim take? Oil dependency will outlast us all.
Adding depth, Tommy’s son Cooper (Jacob Lofland) emerged as the show’s emotional anchor. Grappling with survivor’s guilt from a deadly oil-rig explosion, Cooper brought heart to a series often dominated by testosterone-fueled chaos. His scenes with a grieving family offered a stark contrast to his father’s relentless bravado.
With Landman, Sheridan leaned on an old Yellowstone trick: introduce a grounded character to balance the chaos. If the lawyer’s arc continues to shine, this might be the narrative fix Sheridan’s critics have been waiting for. Three episodes in, Landman feels like Sheridan’s best opportunity to rewrite the script—both figuratively and literally.
Why Landman Hit Big While Yellowstone Took the Scenic Route?
When Landman debuted, it did what Yellowstone couldn’t in 2018—win over critics. With a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score, the oil-drama roared past Yellowstone’s lukewarm 58% debut. Talk about a head start!
Yellowstone eventually became a cultural juggernaut, but Sheridan’s new series nailed it out of the gate. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Landman traded cowboy hats for oil rigs, but kept the stakes sky-high and tempers red-hot.
Though Landman pulled 5.2M viewers, it hasn’t hit Yellowstone’s early jaw-dropping numbers. Still, with better reviews and fresh thrills, it’s clear—Sheridan’s oil-soaked gamble paid off.