What happened between Tommy and the Cartel in Landman Season 1? Explained

Right from the beginning, Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) has been shown to have a troubling relationship with the cartel in Landman. Things came to a head in the season finale when Tommy was almost killed by the cartel but due to a few unforeseen twists was ultimately saved.

In the final episode of Landman Season 1, Tommy is kidnapped by Jimenez (Alex Meraz) who takes him out to an oil well with the clear intention of killing him. However, he ultimately does not do it and only blows up the well. He then takes Tommy to a bar and starts torturing him.

As his intentions of killing Tommy become clearer, in a sudden twist, Sheridan introduces a new character who emerges as Tommy’s savior. The cartel, led by Gallino, a new character, saves Tommy.

Let us now explore in detail what exactly went down between the cartel and Tommy in detail in the Landman finale.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Landman. Reader discretion is advised.

Tommy is saved by the Jimenez cartel’s Boss in Landman finale

As Tommy is almost executed by Jimenez toward the end of Landman Season 1 finale, he gets saved by a mysterious group, which is then revealed to be led by Gallino (Andy Garcia), who is also the boss of the cartel Jimenez was a part of.

Given that Jimenez’s actions like blowing up the oil well and attacking Tommy already seemed like things that he did without his boss’ permission, Gallino coming in and saving Tommy makes sense.

While Gallino’s origin or whereabouts are not made entirely clear, Jimenez once mentioned in Spanish that their boss was:

"on this side of the river."

Whether this means that Gallino is based out of Rio Grande or another Latin American country like Columbia, he had to cross international borders to meet Tommy. Since Gallino was introduced at the very end of the finale episode, not much information is provided about his character.

However, within that short period, he demonstrated his superior position and authority as his men easily finished off Jimenez and his gang and saved Tommy. Moreover, Gallino also convinced Tommy within that extremely short period to work with him.

Since Tommy previously mentioned that the cartel is nothing when compared to the whole oil industry, his getting ready to work with them after being beaten and tortured, speaks volumes about Gallino’s powers and abilities as a leader.

Gallino wants to work with Tommy in Landman to benefit the cartel more

Given the risk that Gallino had to take to meet Tommy, it is understandable that he views Tommy as a person who can help him gain more profits with the cartel. He sees Tommy and M-Tex as potential collaborators unlike Jimenez, who viewed them as enemies and wanted to destroy them.

It seems by the end of Landman Season 1 that Gallino wants to use Tommy’s expertise in the oil industry to his benefit and expand the cartel’s business beyond the circle of drug dealings.

Gallino likely wants to venture into the oil business and with Monty Miller (Jon Hamm) now dead and Tommy having solid power and years of experience in the industry, he is a potential ally for Gallino.

It now remains to be seen how this unexpected partnership goes in the next installment of Landman if or when it comes.

Landman can be streamed on Paramount+.