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If you’re a fan of the Taylor Sheridan universe, it won’t surprise you to hear that before the opening credits to his new series, Landman, role, bodies have fallen, obscenities have been spoken and a world-class monologue has been delivered. After all, that’s what we’ve come to expect from the man who created the ever-expanding Yellowstone universe.
While Landman isn’t a Yellowstone spinoff, it would not be at all surprising or jarring to see characters from one pop up on the other. It’s easy to imagine the late John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner on Yellowstone) throwing back a few cold brews with Landman‘s Tommy Norris (fully embodied by Billy Bob Thornton, who is pretty much guaranteed to land an Emmy nomination).
In fact, it’s hard to watch Landman and not draw comparisons to Yellowstone. When Tommy has an incredibly frank (and ultimately hysterical) conversation with teenage daughter Aynsley, it’s hard not to recall John having similarly uncomfortable talks with Beth. And like on the ranch-set series, characters drop like flies on the oilfields overseen by Norris (and worked by his son, Cooper, dubbed “Baby Norris” by those tasked with taking the bosses son under their wings).
But make no mistaken: This is not a Yellowstone spinoff. Though they share similarities — including tough-talking characters and a sense that everything and everyone is at least a little bit grimy, both literally and metaphorically — they are vastly different shows. V
Will sop fans enjoy Landman? That depends. Those looking for a continuing storyline aimed at an adult audience are in for a great ride. Those easily offended will likely find themselves walking away. (In fact, the pilot contains a scene in which our ostensible hero’s crude words ruffle the feathers of an associate who, upon declaring Norris offensive, receives not the apology he clearly expects, but a verbal slapping down.)
The cast is top-notch (although why money was spent to land Demi Moore, who speaks approximately 20 words, total, in the two episodes currently available, is baffling). The scripts do a great job of introducing us to the rough-and-tumble world in which Norris lives while also doing something daytime rarely remember to do anymore by playing the cultural divide between “haves” and “have nots.” Check out the series, currently streaming on Paramount Plus, then hit the comments section to give it a grade!