The episode commences with Nate crunching numbers while Tommy ventures out to find T.L. in the pool, where he has fallen and is unable to rise. Despite his razor-sharp mind, T.L. laments the failing state of his body. Tommy extends a helping hand, and the two embrace warmly—a touching moment that had been missing between them.
Nate, who is reluctant to part with 10k for Angela's gambling endeavors, similarly gives some money to Cheyenne, a stripper, to assist T.L. with stretches and physical therapy. He knows that hiring a professional would hurt his pride, so he opts for a pretty face to ogle while doing his stretches. She eventually agrees.
Meanwhile, Boss and the others are hesitant about promoting Cooper to Project Manager as they head out to check over the wells. After going 6 for 6, Cooper earns Tommy's blessing, and the others soften when they realize this kid could be a lucky charm.
After an uneasy meeting with a sleazy businessman, Cami is on edge as the big meeting with all the players of M-Tex takes place. Tommy is here organizing traffic, while Rebecca, Nate, and Charles Newsom are also present.
The gist of it is that drilling and creating this offshore well give no guarantee of returns. They could spend $400 million on nothing. The likelihood of a successful strike is about 10%, so they're taking a huge gamble by spending this money here.
The professionals in the room are convinced that Monty didn't drill because he must have felt that litigating against the insurance company was a safer strategy. Investing the money and seeking returns between 12 and 17% year over year to pay the settlement could have seemed, to him at least, the better option. It's an undetermined amount for the settlement though.
In conclusion, the episode of Landman Season 2 depicts a high-stakes gamble with uncertain outcomes and the complexities of decision-making in the oil industry. The characters grapple with the challenges of aging, pride, and financial risk, all while striving for success in a highly competitive field.
Tommy is convinced that litigation is the way forward, while Charles is aware of the presence of gas but faces the challenge of accessing it. Unfortunately, Charles's blind faith resembles a persuasive sales pitch, and it prompts Cami to press ahead with the offshore drilling. Rebecca is enraged and walks away, with Charles hurling insults that deeply wound her. Tommy, observing the fire in Cami's eyes, understands her determination for success, regardless of the risks involved.
Tommy is prepared to support her behind her back, which could cause complications if the secret gets out. Our protagonist then approaches Dan, seeking to cancel the contract and the payout. Dan, like Cami, has faith in the venture's potential success. He has given his word to Cami and isn't about to break it.
The thing is, Dan didn't just loan her the money; he also invested in the company. The royalty payments from the leases alone will generate $300 million a year for him. If the well proves dry, it will significantly harm Cami's finances, but Dan will walk away unscathed. Dan realizes that the company's fate is uncertain either way. After all, M-Tex succeeded because it played by Monty's rules, and now that he's gone, the rulebook has been thrown out, and no one knows how to rearrange the pieces on the board.
If Cami sells now and exits, she may end up a wealthy woman who can retire and ride off into the sunset. If she persists, she could end up with nothing. Either way, Dan emerges as the real winner here and walks away with a fortune.
Meanwhile, back at home, T.L. undergoes his physical therapy session while Angela returns from her gambling day with a substantial pile of cash. In fact, she's won $317,622! Tommy is shocked and can think of several ways to use the money.
