Taylor Sheridan’sLandmanis at its best when it leaves its most controversial scenes out, and two recent episodes prove it. ThoughLandmanis based on the true storyof oil field workers in the Permian Basin of West Texas, it also features stories from several other walks of life. From Cooper’s (Jacob Lofland) working class perspective to Monty’s (Jon Hamm) elite business perspective,Landmanprovides a comprehensive view of the oil industry and the people who are part of it. Unfortunately, not every part of that comprehensive view has been for the best.
Since it began, much of the controversyLandmanhas received has centered around two ofLandman’s characters: Angela (Ali Larter) and Ainsley (Michelle Randolph). The mother-daughter duo are more concerned with partying and finding rich men to marry than anything else, and they can frequently be seen parading around in bikinis or similarly skimpy outfits. Several viewers have taken issue with howLandmansexualizes Ainsley, who is a 17-year-old. A big reason those scenes are so controversial is because they’re not entirely necessary to the show’s narrative, a fact thatLandmanepisode 6 already proved.
Landman Episode 6 Is Better Without Controversial Ainsley & Angela Scenes
Landman Episode 6 Was Much More Dramatic & Intense Without The Distraction Of Ainsley & Angela’s Controversial Scenes
Landmanepisode 6 was arguably the best of the season so far, and it actually proves that the show doesn’t need to put Angela and Ainsley in bikinis. Aside from a few side stories about Tommy meeting with Monty and Angela dealing with her husband,Landmanepisode 6 mostly deals with the fallout of the attack on Cooper’s life from the previous episode.As such, there’s no room for Ainsley or Angela to wear bikinis at all, andLandmanepisode 6 was better for it. It felt much more focused than other episodes ofLandman, and its drama was much deeper.
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One of the biggest reasonsLandmanepisode 6 felt like the best of the season is because it actually gave Angela and Ainsley something to do.Instead of lounging around and causing mischief for Tommy, they both got a chance to connect with Cooper and express their worries and fears. Angela even got to have a somewhat triumphant moment where she left her husband, and Ainsley got to butt heads with Cooper even more.Landmanepisode 7 brought back the skimpy outfits for Angela and Ainsley during their fitness class, but it also followed episode 6’s lead and gave them some character development at the nursing home.
Landman’s Norris Family Drama Is The Heart Of Taylor Sheridan’s Show
Landman Could Easily Focus More On The Norris Family’s Dynamics Than Angela & Ainsley’s Sexuality
While it may use the oil industry as its main source of action and West Texas as its setting,Landmanis really a story about the Norris family.The story of Tommy trying to keep Cooper from becoming him while also juggling Ainsley’s transition into adulthood is the most universal part of the entire show. Likewise, Angela’s attempts to restart her family and correct the mistakes that tore them apart are just as tragic as any of the deaths on the patch so far. The Norris family is the heart and soul ofLandman, and diving deeper into their dynamic is clearly a recipe for success.
Landman Season 2: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know
Taylor Sheridan’s newest drama series, Landman, has struck oil on Paramount+, and now the Billy Bob Thornton-led series has earned a season 2 renewal.
The Norris family’s dynamics are the most important part ofLandman, but moving away from showing different sides of Angela and Ainsley also helped the recent episodes succeed. In just two episodes, they’ve gone from one-dimensional sex objects to characters with realistic and compelling desires, motivations, and fears. It was a lot easier to be interested in Angela and Ainsley’s story inLandmanepisode 7 than it was in episode 5, and it’s because they’ve done more than go sunbathing and get drunk. IfLandmankeeps expanding on Angela and Ainsley’s characters, it may leave its most controversial feature behind entirely.
Landman
Cast
Set in West Texas, this series explores the world of oil rigs and the fortunes they create. It portrays a modern upstairs/downstairs narrative of roughnecks and billionaires, highlighting the profound impact on the climate, economy, and geopolitics in these boomtowns.
