Thornton’s performance as landman and fixer Tommy Norris in the season finale makes the idea of Landman season 2 quite exciting. At the end of the freshman run, Tommy is left as the president of the M-Tex oil company. Thornton’s role will be all the more significant in the series after the death of his boss, Monty Miller (John Hamm), leaving him in a powerful position. However, Thornton’s experience of losing his longtime partner is just the beginning of the emotional events he experiences in the finale, making his performance reminiscent of John.
Kevin Costner’s John Dutton Was Often At His Best When He Was Emotional
John Dutton III Had Profound Experience With Grief
One of the paramount aspects of Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone performance is his characters’ depth of emotion. While John Dutton III didn’t often allow himself to be vulnerable to those around him, it made for some of his best moments when he did open up. The character has powerful emotional beats, like saying goodbye to his father, John Dutton II (Dabney Coleman), in Yellowstone season 2, episode 10, “Sins of the Father.” As John Dutton’s namesake prepares to die, he and his son ride into one of their favorite parts of the ranch and share a flask of whiskey.
After reminiscing about John’s brother Peter at the end of his life, John Dutton II dies with his head on his son’s shoulder, and Costner sells the scene perfectly. John is faithfully in tune with his emotions, which shows at important moments. For instance, another memorable moment is when John Dutton tells his daughter-in-law, Monica (Kelsey Asbille), that her infant son had a perfect life despite his death in Yellowstone season 5. John’s experiences with grief due to the loss of family members like Peter profoundly inform his perspective, allowing him to connect deeply.
Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Nails This In Landman’s Season 1 Finale
Tommy Grieves In The Landman Season 1 Finale
Billy Bob Thornton delivered another emotional performance for Sheridan’s collection of work in the Landman season finale. In Landman season 1, episode 10, “Crumbs of Hopes,” Tommy’s life flashes before his eyes after Jiminez (Alex Miraz), a cartel underling, kidnaps and beats him. Jiminez has a beef to settle with Tommy after the fixer refuses to cover the drug smuggler’s damages incurred in an accident involving one of M-Tex’s planes. When Tommy is home safe on his couch, he tells his wife, Angela (Ali Larter), that she is all he can see when he thinks his life is over.
Angie reflects Tommy’s serious tone, offering to make him blueberry pancakes rather than creating panic. As Tommy waits for breakfast, he goes out for a cigarette and sees a coyote visiting a fallen pack member who Norris’ neighbor shot earlier. Tommy is strikingly grave when he tells the coyote to be careful because people shoot coyotes around Midland. Thornton’s demeanor in the final scene and throughout the episode rounded out his character. It sometimes came through earlier, like when greeting Ariana (Paulina Chávez) in the hospital after figuring out she was Cooper’s (Jacob Lofland) girlfriend.
Billy Bob Thornton Has One Thing Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Character Didn’t
Tommy Delivers More Zingers Than John, But They’re Cut From The Same Cloth
While Tommy Norris may not have been as profoundly affected by grief and emotion as John Dutton, his character begins to experience grave tribulations in the season finale as he loses his long-term business partner and fears for his life. Additionally, Tommy’s humor balances his lack of immediate depth in the series. While John Dutton typically has something funny to say, especially when he finds the behavior of those around him ridiculous, it’s not as consistent. Tommy is intentionally funny throughout Landman, using it to deal with uncomfortable situations, making for some of Landman’s best moments in season 1.
One of Tommy’s most memorable ongoing gags in season 1 is his treatment of Ainsley’s (Michelle Randolph) relationship with Ryder (Mitchell Slaggert). The father eventually establishes a don’t ask, don’t tell policy regarding Ainsley’s romance with her new boyfriend for all those involved. Ultimately, the father’s treatment of the situation parallels how John handled his daughter Beth’s (Kelly Relly) unfiltered conversations about her romantic endeavors, proving the fathers aren’t so different. Watching the Landman season finale makes it clear that Thornton brings the same gritty and raw je ne sais quoi to the role that Costner brought to John Dutton.
