Recap: Landman "Tragedy and Flies" Season Finale

 

The Season 2 finale of Landman truly satisfies Taylor Sheridan fans with its blend of gritty action, clever legal twists, and an uplifting underdog victory that shakes up the whole West Texas scene. Here's a heartfelt recap and review of "Tragedy and Flies."

After the crushing blow of being fired by Cami, Tommy Norris spent the finale proving why he’s the most dangerous man in the Permian Basin.

Tommy catches a massive break when he discovers that Nathan, in a rare moment of negligence, never turned in Cooper’s contract for the crucial oil drilling spots. Realizing those leases are technically up for grabs, Tommy hatches a plan to head to Fort Worth and find a backer to help him hijack the drilling rights.

Tommy’s plans are nearly derailed by a "thorn" in his side: Cooper is facing murder charges after the brutal, yet heroic, intervention in the previous episode to save Ariana from a sexual assault. With Rebecca’s legal prowess and Tommy’s raw "Texas diplomacy," he goes head-to-head with the Detectives, the Sheriff, and the DA. In a powerhouse scene, Tommy successfully argues for justified self-defense, securing Cooper's release and having all charges dropped.

On the home front, Ainsley survives a brutal first day of cheerleading practice. More importantly, she mends her fractured friendship with her roommate, Paigyn. The two bond over a grueling workout and find common ground when Ainsley stands up to a group of rude high schoolers who were mocking Paigyn.

Feeling like God has been throwing obstacles in his path all season, Tommy faces one final rejection from the Fort Worth elites. Refusing to go down without a fight, he throws a "Hail Mary" by approaching Gallino. After a blunt assessment of why Cami’s business is headed for a cliff, Gallino bites. He cuts a check to Tommy’s brand-new venture: CTT Oil and Cattle (though, as Tommy admits, "there’s no cattle").

The season ends with Tommy bringing Cooper, Ariana, and the crew out to the oil fields to announce they are officially in business for themselves. As he and Angela watch the sunset, Tommy spots the recurring coyote, but this time, he tells the beast it isn't ruining his day.

"Tragedy and Flies" really pays off for viewers who've endured the darker, tougher parts of the season. Season 1 offers a slow, insightful look at the tough realities beneath the glamorous surface, revealing an industry that's just as much about blood and dirt as it is about money.

The finale marks a major step for Tommy, transforming him from a corporate fixer into an independent kingpin. Yet, his victory is tinged with a shadow, leaving us intrigued about what’s next in Season 2: Can a man who knows where all the bodies are buried truly run a clean operation? Tommy Norris may have outsmarted the coyote this time, but in the Permian Basin, there are always others waiting in the wings.'

Billy Bob Thornton delivers an exceptional performance that surely deserves an Emmy nomination. Watching his transition from a discouraged, fired employee to a confident, resilient business owner was truly inspiring and engaging throughout. 

The way the murder charges were resolved felt very well-earned. It beautifully highlighted the strong bond between father and son, all while keeping the story firmly rooted in real-life emotions. And it was really uplifting to see Ainsley break free from the usual "spoiled teen" clichés and show some real strength and maturity in the finale.

While "CTT Oil and Cattle" is a fantastic name, the repeated "no cattle" joke started to feel a bit overused. It’s also understandable that Nathan, a professional, might forget to file the most important contract of the year — after all, in the colorful world of West Texas drama, we’re happy to overlook that for the exciting "David vs. Goliath" storyline. Overall, I’d rate this episode an 8.5/10.

What did you think of the season finale? Does the ending give you excitement for Season 3?  Leave a comment. 

You can catch Landman on Paramount+.