Taylor Sheridan’s Explosive Mess: Landman

Taylor Sheridan is back at it again, serving us another ambitious story with Landman. The man who brought us Yellowstone, 1883, and Mayor of Kingstown clearly doesn’t believe in slowing down. But this time, it feels like he might have bitten off more than he can chew. Is Landman worth your time, or should you just stick to rewatching Yellowstone for the umpteenth time?

What Is Landman All About?

First things first, Landman dives deep into the world of oil drilling. That’s right, Sheridan has traded in cowboy hats and horses for hard hats and oil rigs. The show focuses on the high-stakes world of land acquisition and energy politics, following a corporate fixer, Nathan Green, who navigates the dirty business of fossil fuels. Think Succession meets There Will Be Blood with a sprinkle of Sheridan’s signature drama.

The Good: Explosive Drama and Big Performances

Let’s start with the positives because Landman isn’t a total disaster. First, Billy Bob Thornton is phenomenal. He brings his A-game, playing a character who is equal parts charismatic and morally bankrupt. His performance is so magnetic that you can’t help but root for him even when he’s doing terrible things.

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Then there’s the drama. If you’re into jaw-dropping twists and tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, Landman delivers. Explosions? Check. Betrayals? Check. Corporate greed spiraling out of control? Double-check. Sheridan knows how to keep his audience on the edge of their seats, and he doesn’t hold back here.

The cinematography is another standout. The show captures the vast, desolate beauty of oil fields in Texas, turning them into a character of their own. And, of course, there’s Sheridan’s trademark grit—everything feels raw and real, from the drilling rigs to the backroom deals.

The Bad: A Plot That’s All Over the Place

Landman is an absolute mess when it comes to storytelling. The plot tries to juggle too many subplots, characters, and themes, leaving the viewer dazed and confused. One minute we’re dealing with environmental activists sabotaging pipelines, and the next we’re knee-deep in family drama that feels shoehorned in.

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And don’t even get me started on the pacing. The first couple of episodes are slow—painfully slow. Just when you’re about to give up, the story suddenly shifts gears and throws everything at you at once. Explosions, betrayals, lawsuits it’s as if Sheridan wanted to make up for lost time by cramming every idea he had into the last few episodes.

The Ugly: Characters Who Are Hard to Root For

Another major issue with Landman is its characters. Sure, Billy Bob Thornton’s Nathan Green is a standout, but the rest of the cast? Not so much. Most of the characters are one-dimensional, and their motivations are often unclear. You’ve got the greedy oil exec, the idealistic whistleblower, the hardened field worker—all of whom feel more like stereotypes than real people.

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Worse, the show doesn’t give us anyone to truly root for. Nathan Green might be captivating, but he’s no hero. And while the show tries to make us care about the environmentalists and the workers caught in the crossfire, their storylines are so underdeveloped that it’s hard to feel invested.

Is Taylor Sheridan Spreading Himself Too Thin?

This brings us to a bigger question: Is Taylor Sheridan taking on too much? November has unofficially become Sheridan’s month at Paramount, with Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 and Lioness Season 2 airing back-to-back alongside Landman. That’s three major projects in one go. While Sheridan’s talent is undeniable, it’s starting to feel like he’s overextending himself.

The Verdict: A Mixed Bag

So, should you watch Landman? It depends. If you’re a die-hard Taylor Sheridan fan, you’ll probably find enough to enjoy here Billy Bob Thornton’s performance alone is worth the price of admission. But if you’re expecting the next Yellowstone or 1883, you might be disappointed.

Landman is a show with a lot of potential, but it’s held back by a convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped characters. It’s explosive, yes, but it’s also messy. And while Sheridan’s knack for crafting intense drama is still intact, it’s not enough to save this series from its own shortcomings.