Taylor Sheridan’s much-anticipated Landman, which pretty much serves as a modern-day tale of fortune-seeking in the world of the West Texas oil rigs, has finally made its way to the screens, and the reviews are… well, mixed. While Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as Tommy Norris in the drama series’ themes is being acclaimed, some elements of the lore are still being criticized.
For one, when it comes to the characters, Sheridan has seemingly tried to recreate one of the most beloved characters from his Yellowstone saga in the face of Tommy’s ex-wife. However, while he may have wanted to catch fans’ fancy with it, things seem to be taking a different turn as many fans have their reservations about the character in talk for reasons all too understandable.
Spoiler Alert !!!
Landman episode 1 & 2 spoilers ahead!
Taylor Sheridan May Have Gone Overboard While Seemingly Recreating This Yellowstone Character
One of the most major powerhouses of Yellowstone, who continues to lead the series to success even after John Dutton’s absence in the saga’s season 5 part 2, is none other than Kelly Reilly‘s Beth Dutton. A fierce and intimidating woman willing to go to all extremes to get whatever she wants, she stands as one of the – if not the – strongest pillars of the Western show.
Now, it seems like Taylor Sheridan is once again trying to recreate a character similar to Beth in his ongoing oil-rig-themed series, Landman. To be more precise, after judging the characters in the already released 2 episodes of the show, it looks like Ali Larter’s Angela and Michelle Randolph’s Aynsley are the ones trying to channel Beth’s energy in the drama series.
Those who have already seen the episodes would know that Billy Bob Thornton‘s Tommy Norris sees Angela as his scary and feisty ex-wife who has earned an unflattering picture of herself as her profile in Tommy’s phone along with a dramatic ringtone. At the same time, she’s also the woman who gives a minor heartache to Tommy every time she calls (which is a lot).
On the other hand, there’s Aynsley, Tommy and Angela’s daughter, who has just been portrayed in an oversexualized light, just like her mother. Not only does she go prancing around in her underwear in the home that her father shares with two other men, but she is also painted as a spoiled brat who says what she wants and doesn’t care what she wears no matter who she’s around.
While it does ostensibly look like the showrunner wanted to introduce a character like Beth in his other show as well, his ideas don’t seem to be working. This is because, while the Yellowstone character is sexualized the same way as Angela and Aynsley, scenes of her sexuality are meant to exude power, and that’s not the vibe the characters in Landman are sporting so far.
That being said, this decision from Sheridan has unarguably garnered quite a bit of hate and disapproval from fans worldwide. Redditor Zestyclose-Let7929, for one, recently expressed in their review of the released episodes of the show so far that, while seeing the life of those in the oil fields is enjoyable and Tommy’s portrayed relationship with his daughter is lovable and commendable, putting up with ex-wife just isn’t. Per the Redditor:
Not sure but I might get tired of the ex-wife and her never-ending FaceTime calls. She is a middle age d*** tease with the mentality of a high school cheerleader. She is the white trash character of the show. The 8 AM comment to her about how she dressed for her call to him.
What’s more, is that, unsurprisingly enough, the over-sexualization of Angela and her portrayal as an ex-wife who just can’t rub her loss enough in her ex-husband’s face isn’t the only thing fans are hating on. To say the least, they quite literally disapprove of the colors Sheridan is currently painting Aynsley as well, the idea of which is arguably backfiring terribly.
Fans React to Taylor Sheridan’s Iterations of Aynsley and Angela
While pulling in a scary ex-wife who can’t face-time her ex-husband enough while constantly trying to pull his strings was one thing, further putting in a daughter who quite literally doesn’t hesitate to even detail about her sexual life to her dad seems to have hammered the nail in the coffin for most. If anything, a lot of fans are left cringing and finding their mere presence too much.
Taking to X to share their dismay at the way Sheridan has crafted Tommy Norris’ ex-wife and daughter so far in the series, here’s what fans have to say:
I watched the first 2 episodes of #Landman. Immediately irritated by the characters of his daughter and ex wife. They are TOO much. Without them, I might enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/pXYvT8KZUD
— Brandy Green (@MissBrandyGreen) November 21, 2024
I like a lot about #Landman. But the whole daughter storyline is bad and takes up too much of the show.
— L. Hughes (@thelhughes) November 18, 2024
Where the fuck were the women in the writers room for #Landman ?????? The writing for his daughter is absolute horseshit. What young girl is speaking with their dad like this or dressing like this around him? pic.twitter.com/I15rXQFSL8
— Camm ⁴⁴ ☁️ (@cammiemark) November 20, 2024
Done with episodes 1 and 2. There is some potential here. But we really dont need annoying pantless daughter and video calls from ex. #Landman pic.twitter.com/VoSplxWEHB
— Jarrod Weise (@jarrodweise) November 19, 2024
#Landman Pretty good show! Could do without the storyline about the daughter. It’s a little creepy.
— marie ford (@jmford860) November 17, 2024
The daughters script in #Landman is insane why are they having her talk to her FATHER like this 🌚I’d rather her being doing this with her mother pic.twitter.com/PJkarVK0Mq
— Miss February 🎀 (@ChaznieNicole) November 20, 2024
#Landman could have been great but the whole daughter thing is cringe..the girl looks like a child in a bikini ..How did this pass by @paramountplus 🤦🏻♂️
— jojo (@Nomamesweylol) November 20, 2024
Of course, looking at it from their perspective, all of these concerns and disapproving statements are as valid as ever. If the showrunner genuinely wanted to create another version of Beth through this ongoing series, then he is currently failing by tremendous margins.
At the same time, it’s Taylor Sheridan we’re talking about, and the mastermind knows how to pull off the most jaw-dropping twists at the most unexpected of times. That said, things might as well seriously change for both Angela and Aynsley going forward in the series through character development.
Who knows? Taylor Sheridan is undeniably an absolute genius, so we might as well hold our hopes up and trust him with this.
Landman can currently be streamed on Paramount Plus.
