Landman Season 1 Episode 9 recap: The Cartel's retaliation 

Landman Season 1 Episode 9 recap: The Cartel
Landman Season 1 Episode 9 recap: The Cartel's retaliation (Image Source - X/Landman)

In the penultimate episode of Landman Season 1, a lot happens that demands a closer look. There's a mysterious ending involving a coyote and some heavy plot twists, especially around the fate of Monty Morris and the oil company drama.

The cartel’s actions are another layer of danger for Tommy. Even though he’s trying to make peace with them after the missile strike, it’s clear that the Cartel’s retaliation is coming. This will make Tommy’s life even more complicated, and the finale will likely reveal whether he can find a way out of this mess.

Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, is the oil crisis management expert who has been working under Monty Morris (Jon Hamm), the CEO of M-Tex, a private oil company.

Monty’s health has been a major issue, with his heart problems becoming worse. At the start of Episode 8, Monty ends up in the hospital, and things don't improve in Episode 9.

This episode shows Tommy grappling with Monty's possible death and also offers him a big job to take over the company. Tommy now faces the tough decision of whether to accept this new responsibility.


Recap of episode 9

While Tommy is focused on his work, Cooper and Ariana talk about their future together. With the immediate danger from the oil business behind them, Cooper starts thinking about how to get rich in the industry. He wants to make enough money to live a peaceful life in Fort Worth with Ariana.

However, Cooper’s journey isn’t as simple as it seems, and there are deeper themes surrounding greed and ambition.

Tommy’s also trying to sort things out with the Cartel, especially after the accidental missile strike in Episode 8. He’s working to fix the situation, but it's clear that things are going to get worse before they get better. The Cartel's retaliation looms large, and Tommy’s choices are about to become even more complicated.

The most intriguing part of Episode 9 is the ending. Tommy is standing in his backyard, seemingly reflecting on Monty’s death, when he spots a coyote in the field. He watches the coyote for a moment before his neighbor shoots and kills it for hunting her pets.

This scene carries significant symbolism. Some viewers see the coyote as a symbol of freedom. Tommy, like the coyote, has the freedom to live life on his terms. But by taking over Monty’s role in the company, he might be sacrificing that freedom for the responsibilities that come with the job.

Throughout Episode 9, there are hints that Monty may have passed away. He’s seen in the hospital with a racing heart rate, and things seem dire. Later in the episode, Tommy receives a call from Cami, which appears to confirm Monty’s death.

If Monty has indeed passed, Tommy will feel obligated to help Monty’s family, especially his children. However, his own future in the company is now at stake.

After Monty’s death, the company’s future is uncertain. Rebecca Falcone has been offered a role, which will cause a power struggle within the company. Tommy will likely face more tension and competition as he tries to navigate this new dynamic.

Cooper, a relatively new character in Landman, has been working on a plan to get rich in the oil industry. He aims to gather up small, neglected oil wells and group them together, making them more valuable. The problem, though, is that Cooper's plan might lead him down a dangerous path. A conversation with a man at the end of the episode foreshadows that greed could change him.

While Cooper doesn’t seem like a greedy person, his ambition to make enough money to live with Ariana might cloud his judgment. The show has already shown how the desire for wealth can corrupt people, and Cooper might fall into the same trap as Monty.

As Landman Season 1 nears its end, Tommy is faced with a range of difficult decisions. He has to balance his loyalty to Monty’s family with his own desire for a better life.

The mysterious coyote scene serves as a metaphor for the choices Tommy will have to make, whether he wants to hold onto his freedom or dive deeper into the world of oil, power, and responsibility.

With the Cartel's wrath, Monty’s death, and the company’s future on the line, Tommy’s journey is far from over. It will be fascinating to see what direction the show takes in the finale.

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Edited by Abhimanyu Sharma