Landman Season 2’s Penultimate Episode Nears Series Low After Billy Bob Thornton’s Potential Ousting

Reviews for the most recent Landman episode nearly dropped to series lows. This comes as Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, was fired as the president of M-Tex Oil. While on a work trip, Cami Miller, played by Demi Moore, scolded Tommy for being risk-averse before making a game-changing announcement: “I’m saying you’re fired.”

Landman season 2, episode 9, titled “Plans, Tears and Sirens,” which revealed Tommy’s termination, ended up being one of the lowest-reviewed episodes of the entire season. The current IMDb score is 6.7 out of 10, which is almost reaching the previous low of 6.6 for episode 7, “Forever is an Instant.”

Audiences who didn’t like the episode, called it disappointing with over-the-top storylines and claimed the script wasn’t well-written. Some viewers even called out creator Taylor Sheridan for not living up to his full potential with Landman.

“Forever is an Instant” and “Plans, Tears and Sirens” are the only Landman season 2 episodes to receive an IMDb score lower than 7. Ratings have typically hovered between 7.5 and 8.2 out of 10.

By comparison, not a single episode in Landman season 1 dropped below 7.5, with the top-rated installment being episode 6, “Beware the Second Beating,” at 8.6.

While Landman season 2, episode 9 received several positive reviews from audiences, including some who called the episode outstanding with bold storytelling, the overall trend appears to be that viewers are not quite as invested in the new episodes, like they were for the freshman season.

Now there is only one episode left in season 2, with the finale set to air on January 18. With just days to go, the penultimate episode left viewers reeling amid Tommy’s firing. That is an unexpected turn of events that could have major ramifications, not just for the finale but for the entire series going forward.

Ryan Green / ©Paramount+/Viacom Intl. / Courtesy Everett Collection

On the surface, it might seem like Thornton is leaving the show, considering his character isn’t the president of M-Tex Oil anymore. However, season 3 has already been ordered by Paramount+, and the actor himself has said that he wants to stay on the show for as long as possible.

Tommy’s latest plot twist in Landman season 2, episode 9, might be setting up a head-to-head showdown between him and Cami, the likes of which viewers have never seen before. One of the biggest question marks right now is how Tommy will respond to his dismissal. It doesn’t seem like he’ll take it lightly, so a heated confrontation is inevitable, with Cami either prevailing or potentially being ousted herself.

There are plenty of unknowns at the moment on Landman, with the penultimate episode fanning the flames even more. The finale might start answering some of these questions while raising even more going into the third season.

The Landman season 2 finale will be released Sunday, January 18, on Paramount+.