Episode 10 of "Landman" unfolds dramatically at the hospital, where Monty's life hangs by a thread following an aneurysm. Doctors battle to stabilize him, but the odds seem stacked against Monty, as he desperately needs a heart transplant—a procedure only feasible if his body recovers sufficiently to withstand the surgery.
Meanwhile, Tommy Norris's world is turned upside down when Cami, accompanied by their family lawyer Alan, summons him to the hospital. According to Monty's will, in the event of Monty's incapacitation, Tommy is appointed President of M-Tex Oil, with the responsibility of facilitating the company's sale. The proceeds from this sale are earmarked for Cami's foundation and trust, with Tommy serving as the executor. Tommy agrees to take on the presidency, but only on the condition that Alan and Cami are included in the decision-making process.
Their first task is to execute a $167 million farm-out deal that Monty had previously negotiated. After carefully weighing the options, Tommy leans towards selling the deal, but Cami, driven by loyalty to Monty, opts for risk-taking. Thus, Tommy assumes the presidency and contacts Rebecca, Nate, and Dale to renegotiate the lease on the farm-out.
However, on the way back from this meeting, Tommy's journey takes a harrowing turn as Jimenez and his henchmen abduct him. Their intention is to send a chilling message to the oil companies, underscoring the cartel's untouchable status. They force Tommy to watch as they blow up one of their oil wells, an act that Tommy views as more damaging to the cartel's business than to him personally. The authorities will surely investigate, potentially exposing the cartel's involvement.
Jimenez taunts Tommy, asserting that the well's destruction is merely a warning. He then drags Tommy to an underground club where Tommy endures brutal torture involving hammers, nails, beatings, and gasoline. As Tommy's life flashes before his eyes, he is miraculously rescued by Galino, the cartel leader and Jimenez's boss, who executes Jimenez and his men without hesitation.
Unlike Jimenez, who craves superiority, Galino seeks partnership with Tommy. Tommy resists, reminding Galino that the oil companies wield greater influence than the cartel. Galino dismisses Tommy's threats, asserting that the cartel can access anything the oil companies have. He believes that coexistence would benefit both parties.
When the police arrive, Galino assists Tommy in escaping through a backdoor. Before departing, Galino reveals that the cartel owns vast tracts of land and expresses interest in negotiating drilling deals with Tommy. Tommy agrees to find time for business discussions, and Galino leaves.
Tommy calls Dale for a ride home. Despite Dale's insistence on taking him to the hospital, Tommy refuses and settles for a doctor's visit the following day to check out the nail wound. Dale expresses concern for Tommy's mental well-being, prompting Tommy to joke about starting to drink again.
At home, Angela awakens to find a battered Tommy sleeping on the couch. She demands answers, but Tommy, unable to reveal the truth, tells her about a harrowing ordeal where he envisioned his life flashing before his eyes, and all he saw was her. Angela, moved to tears, kisses Tommy and heads to the kitchen to make him blueberry pancakes, sealing the moment with a touch of warmth amidst the chaos.What unfolds for Ariana and Cooper?
Ariana resolves to relocate Elvio's belongings from their shared abode, but finds herself engrossed for the entire day in reminiscing through photographs and various mementos that encapsulate their life together. Meanwhile, Cooper diligently proceeds with negotiating farm leases, encountering smooth sailing as each landowner he engages with is thoroughly impressed by the lucrative deal he presents.
Upon hearing Cooper's truck pull up later, Ariana dashes into the shower, keen to avoid him witnessing her tears. Cooper, noticing the photo album sprawled across the living room, acknowledges the arduous day Ariana has had. Acknowledging that their relationship has blossomed prematurely, Cooper inquiries if he ought to relocate. Though Ariana concurs that it is indeed too soon, she harbors no desire for Cooper to depart. Cooper assures her that he harbors no intentions of supplanting Elvio's place, yet Ariana clarifies that he has inadvertently filled the void in her heart once occupied by Elvio. She elucidates that she requires time to evict Elvio from her heart before embarking on a fresh romance.
Cooper scoops up the photo album and commences leafing through it alongside Ariana, prompting her to recount their shared memories, thereby alleviating her distress. Ariana deeply appreciates Cooper's gesture, and he vows to accompany her through every memory she cherishes of her and Elvio, if that is what she desires. Moved by his understanding, Ariana bestows a kiss upon Cooper, grateful for his unwavering support by her side.
As for Ainsley, what transpires?
Ainsley and Angela embark on an exhilarating field trip to a strip club with the elderly. Ryser, having struck a deal with Ainsley to perform as a male stripper for the ladies in exchange for a reward, finds himself at the brink of nervousness. Despite his jitters, the allure of the reward proves irresistible, compelling him to relent. Post his striptease, Ryder swings by the house to claim his prize, directed by Angela to Ainsley's chamber upstairs. Ainsley attempts to tantalize Ryder with her dance moves, but their encounter quickly evolves into an intimate liaison mere moments into their dance.
A tear escapes Ainsley's eye as she realizes she has never spent a night entwined in someone's arms. The experience proves equally novel for Ryder. Ainsley implores Ryder to stay the night. Though concerned about Tommy's potential retaliation, Ryder chooses to chance his fate, embracing Ainsley tightly, planting a kiss on her forehead, and drifting into slumber together.
What becomes of Monty remains ambiguous by the episode's conclusion, with no explicit indication of his demise. However, one can infer that he survives, given the poignant scene of his family gathered at his bedside, tears streaming down their faces, their hearts shattered with grief. Moreover, Tommy had earlier confided in Nate, expressing his pessimistic belief that Monty's dwindling health might not see him through, hinting at a grave prognosis.
As for the climactic scene of Landman Season 1, Tommy exits the house with a limp, making his way to the backyard, while Ryder, Ainsley, and Angela are engrossed in preparing breakfast within. His gaze falls upon another coyote wandering in the vicinity, a haunting reminder of the one previously felled by his neighbour. Tommy, in a stern voice, warns the coyote to flee, mindful of the community's ruthless stance towards these wild creatures.
