The resounding success of Dallas in the 1980s forever marked how the world saw Texans and the oil world in the United States. The land of Marlboro, the land of cowboys, the land of ‘macho men’, and today it is the land of Taylor Sheridan. The showrunner who manages to stand out in feminist and inclusive culture by keeping alpha men in the spotlight, but still pleasing everyone, is in a unique position.

Sheridan’s list of successful series and films, in “Sheridanland”, includes the recent Yellowstone (with its offspring: 1883, 1923, and Bass Reeves) and Op. Lioness, just to name the most recent ones and since he has energy to spare, I checked out the release of Landman, the author’s new bet. And yes: I loved it.

Just like all the others, there are heavyweight stars in the cast, in this case, an incredible trio led by Billy Bob Thorton and including Jon Hamm and Demi Moore, but it also features Ali Larter as a highlight. With a unique and realistic approach, the source of inspiration is true stories that came out of the Boomtown podcast, hosted by the American journalist (and Texan, of course) Christian Wallace. An intelligent approach that covers the great flaw of Dallas, as Billy Bob emphasized in interviews: Landman is not about the millionaires behind a desk, but even more about the people who are in the field, under the sun and long hours, often putting their lives at risk, as we see in the opening episode.

The name of the series refers to the role of Billy Bob Thorton, who is the handyman/midfielder/manager of the oil business. He negotiates the exploration of the land, hires, and deals with the workers, and answers to the ‘owners’ of the business. If something goes wrong – and it always does – he is also the one who has to solve everything.

That said, we follow the day-to-day life of Tommy Norris (Thorton), a practical, empathetic and charismatic man who is the crisis manager for independent oil baron Monty Miller (Joe Hamm). He solves all kinds of life-or-death problems in the unforgiving desert of West Texas and we can expect the most surprising things.

The first 24 hours are not easy for Tommy. He deals with a drug dealer’s plane that landed on one of the oil company’s private roads and caused a giant, ugly, and lethal accident with a tractor-trailer; his son’s disastrous debut in a fatal accident with his crew; his teenage daughter with a boyfriend that no one approves of; his ex-wife starting a fight over the phone… we sympathize with Tommy immediately!

Obviously, the plot of the vision will return. The plane was stolen from the company itself but never reported and the sheriff helps Tommy to cover up the case again. The problem with his son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland) is worse. The young man chose to be the “worm” — or the lowest-ranking member — of a team that works on oil derricks and unfortunately, after a tough initiation and a connection with the men, the derrick they are working on explodes, and only Cooper survives.

In addition to having to deal with the loss of the workers, notify the families of the deaths, and anticipate compensation, Tommy also has to help with the legal problems of the accident for this he hires a lawyer specialized in litigation, and he doesn’t like what he gets: the arrogant young Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace) who seems more against than in favor of the group that hired her.

In the middle of all this, due to the travel accusations of his ex, Angela (Ali Larter), who disturbs him with daily sexually provocative calls and fights over the children, Tommy has to be the babysitter of his horny 17-year-old daughter, Aynsley (Michelle Randolph), who likes to walk around scantily clad, provoking every male in her path. And there are many. Aynsley’s problem is her boyfriend, Dakota, who is desperate to have sex with his girlfriend. Something that Tommy can easily solve.

So, in 24 hours, we are breathless and worried about Tommy, but we have barely taken the first steps. The one who is always on his tail is his boss, but we see that Monty also has an attentive wife. Cami (Demi Moore) is always taking care of herself or her daughters, but she is clearly an active partner in the business, she is not there for nothing.

What the cast interviews have already warned is that there is a past between Tommy and Monty: both were landmen, but Monty got ahead while Tommy went bankrupt, this boss/friend relationship will always be tenuous.

The drama is engaging, there is humor and mystery. Landman has everything to be a great success. I will follow.

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