Recap: Landman "Dancing Rainbows"

 

As a mysterious death happens at one of the oil rigs, Cami discusses business with Gallino, while Tommy and his family say their goodbyes to his mother. Here's a recap and review of Landman, "Dancing Rainbows."

On the day of Tommy's mother's funeral, a mysterious death occurs at one of the oil rigs, while Cami begins major business negotiations with Gallino. The episode centers on Tommy and his family finally saying their goodbyes.

Everyone gathers for the funeral, including Dale, Walt, and Ariana, who is there to support Cooper. The drama is thick, building on Tommy's resentment toward his mother. He tries to explain his dislike of Ariana by recalling a time he tried to save his mother but ended up being kicked in the face.

However, T.L. offers a different perspective, sharing a tender story about Tommy's mother making him stop the car so he could dance around a sprinkler that had created a beautiful rainbow. Later, when an emotional Ainsley confronts Tommy, he reveals the deep-seated reason for his mother's emotional distance: the death of his sister from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) years ago.

Meanwhile, Ariana and Cooper discuss her reasons for asking him to leave her house; she doesn't want to move away from her longtime family. She gives him relationship advice that ultimately brings them back together.

Cami, after stopping at the cemetery to talk to Monty's grave, decides to sell the house and meets with Gallino about financing her company's drilling operations. Gallino accepts but initially prefers to discuss it with Tommy. Cami persuades him, and he agrees to the deal.

With a mysterious death at one of the M-Tex oil rigs, Rebecca is called to investigate. However, her journey is stalled when she wakes up at the place of a fellow passenger she bonded with during the flight.

After the funeral service, Tommy and T.L. part ways. Later, an upset Angela tells Tommy she believes T.L. should come live with them. Tommy agrees, and the episode concludes as he drives off into the sunset to pick up his father.

“Dancing Rainbows” is one of Landman’s most powerful episodes—a slow burn rooted in the complex love, grief, and history between Tommy and his parents. The reveal of Tommy’s sister’s death adds essential emotional depth, and the final decision to bring T.L. home gives the episode its emotional core. Billy Bob Thornton delivers an exceptional performance here, balancing rugged stoicism with raw vulnerability—easily a performer-of-the-week contender and possibly awards-worthy. 

The side storylines—Cami’s business dealings and Rebecca’s interrupted investigation—add momentum without detracting from the emotional heart. And the episode’s final image of Tommy driving toward reconciliation hits exactly the right tone. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

What did you think of this week's episode? How do you foresee the dynamic changing now that T.L. is living with Tommy and Angela? And will Rebecca's investigation detour have any consequences? Leave a comment. 

You can catch a new episode of Landman on Sundays on Paramount+.