S01.E04: The Sting of Second Chances

[Snazzy Daisy]

Quote

After a rocky first impression, Rebecca comes to Tommy's defense.

Cooper gets an unexpected call.

Air Date: Dec 01, 2024

 

 

Edited December 1, 2024 by Snazzy Daisy

[Snazzy Daisy]

Lazy writing… 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yellowstone S03•E09   
  
 

Landman S01•E04   

[Joimiaroxeu]

A liability cluster bomb. Yep, that's Ainsley and Angela, twerking in the living room, and getting poor Nathan all hot and bothered.

Rebecca can swing her lawyer dick with the best of them. She told that whole roomful of male attorneys rolling their eyes at her to FAFO.

So what is the Landman equivalent of "buckle bunny"? Those girls chasing oil workers in the bar must have a local nickname.

Angela should've known she'd get banned from the country club after the way she and Ainsley literally showed their asses the last time.

Shrimp tails. Ew, sounded to me like mouth sores waiting to happen.

Tommy knew Cooper was up on the rig at night and he made himself act unbothered so Cooper wouldn't get nervous and possibly have an accident. He's a good dad.

Don't do it, Tommy! Angela = trouble.

Don't do it, Cooper! Ariana = trouble.

Re Sheridan recycling dialogue, I wonder if he thinks viewers who've watched Yellowstone won't remember, or whether he just doesn't care if it makes his writing look lazy.

Edited December 2, 2024 by Joimiaroxeu

[SeanBug]

10 hours ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

Re Sheridan recycling dialogue, I wonder if he thinks viewers who've watched Yellowstone won't remember, or whether he just doesn't care if it makes his writing look lazy.

Aaron Sorkin did the same thing on almost every tv show he created. It became a joke.  There are so many other ways to say she's going to burn them to the ground for the bullshit they tried to pull.  Hanging their law degrees over her toilet is pretty lame. 

As far as Angela and Ainsley, I don't know why Sheridan has to have these awful depictions of women on his shows.  Blech. 

[Chit Chat]

1 hour ago, SeanBug said:

As far as Angela and Ainsley, I don't know why Sheridan has to have these awful depictions of women on his shows.  Blech. 

I was liking the show better with these two at a distance.  I'd rather see Billy Bob as the single guy.  His relationship with his ex-wife is a mess.   I'd prefer not to have it as part of the storyline.  YMMV.

[roughing it]

Cannot stand Angela and Ainsley. They really bring the entire show down. I would rather see them as occasional characters, or not at all.

[mythoughtis]

19 hours ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

So what is the Landman equivalent of "buckle bunny"? Those girls chasing oil workers in the bar must have a local nickname.

Angela should've known she'd get banned from the country club after the way she and Ainsley literally showed their asses the last time.

The one particular ‘Buckle bunny’ would be called ‘a hooker’.  Bartender wouldn’t throw her out because she was paying  for her drinks. 
 

Not only did the ex-wife and daughter cause a scene at the country club, the daughter is not old enough to drink ( she’s 17).  The country club still has to follow liquor laws.  Which they didn’t the last time these two were there.  

[Cementhead]

7 hours ago, Chit Chat said:

I was liking the show better with these two at a distance.  I'd rather see Billy Bob as the single guy.  His relationship with his ex-wife is a mess.   I'd prefer not to have it as part of the storyline.  YMMV.

I agree.  I am all about Billy Bob and not looking forward to him having to share his screen time with those two nitwits for the entirety of the season.  The sooner this story line goes south, the better. 

I'm way more interested in Tommy's relationship with his son, Cooper; who, as a character, is much more intriguing and nuanced than those two.  This young actor is interesting to me and I have enjoyed his scenes with Billy Bob but they are too few and far between. 

[Chit Chat]

12 minutes ago, Cementhead said:

I am all about Billy Bob and not looking forward to him having to share his screen time with those two nitwits for the entirety of the season. 

Maybe TPTB thought they had to throw some eye candy into the show?  Again, I find it unnecessary.  It's stupid that the lawyer in the house has to walk around with blinders on because the women are half-naked all of the time.  It's also crass that either parent lets her walk around half-dressed too.  

[Cementhead]

2 minutes ago, Chit Chat said:

Maybe TPTB thought they had to throw some eye candy into the show?  Again, I find it unnecessary.  It's stupid that the lawyer in the house has to walk around with blinders on because the women are half-naked all of the time.  It's also crass that either parent lets her walk around half-dressed too.  

I know what to expect when I tune into a Taylor Sheridan show and so I know there will be the token eye candy and I don't even care until it starts to cut into my Billy Bob time and his character's story line, which is where it seems we are be headed.  You have Billy Bob Thornton starring in your show and this is the best material you can give the man?  Having him rolling his eyes and cringing at his daughter and ex-wife for an hour?  What a wasted opportunity.

[rhygirl720]

well, I guess we are stuck with the two blonde bimbos for a while. I don't blame the actresses this is the material they have been given. The oversexualization of the daughter is gross. 

The rest of the story is interesting. 

 

[topanga]

On 12/3/2024 at 8:09 AM, rhygirl720 said:

well, I guess we are stuck with the two blonde bimbos for a while. I don't blame the actresses this is the material they have been given. The oversexualization of the daughter is gross. 

The rest of the story is interesting. 

 

Right? Is that the only kind of material that Sheridan can write for women? Oversexed bimbo or cold and seemingly frigid? 

I want to learn more about Cooper. I like the character and the actor. I wonder what the history is between him and his mother. He didn't sound too happy that she's still in town, and he hadn't been over to visit her or his sister yet. 

[rhygirl720]

1 hour ago, topanga said:

Right? Is that the only kind of material that Sheridan can write for women? Oversexed bimbo or cold and seemingly frigid? 

Well, there is also the goody- goody miss perfect usually a brunette... (think Monica in Yellowstone). But that about covers it.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Landman | Tommy's Deposition (S1, E4) | Paramount+

 

[Cool Breeze]

The lawyer is terrible.  A one-note Beth-clone who clearly has no concept at all of how the law works.  

[leighdear]

I actually liked Rebecca a bit this episode.  Her reaction to the snake was funny, and I loved Tommy keeping the rattle as a reminder. 

I really can't stand Angela.  I'll be noping out if they actually get back together and she doesn't get a personality shift from the writers. 

[Ottis]

On 12/2/2024 at 4:38 PM, Chit Chat said:

Maybe TPTB thought they had to throw some eye candy into the show? 

It's eye candy - for women. Almost no male watching this show wants more time spent on the wife and daughter, no matter how naked they get. It's an attempt to create "characters," which is shorthand for "attract female viewers." Many shows do this, and I hate it every time they do. Landman is fascinating as a look at the oil industry at multiple levels, orbiting a great actor like BBT. No need for "characters."

On 12/1/2024 at 8:04 PM, Joimiaroxeu said:

Re Sheridan recycling dialogue, I wonder if he thinks viewers who've watched Yellowstone won't remember, or whether he just doesn't care if it makes his writing look lazy.

I never watched Yellowstone (or any of its derivatives), because it looked like a soap opera to me. I've since seen many comments and even a few reviews that say it is. I had hoped Landman would be different, but I'm getting strong soap opera vibes with the wife especially, but also the widow and the overly protective/jealous friend. Can we move on from them, please?

[Joimiaroxeu]

3 hours ago, Ottis said:

It's eye candy - for women. Almost no male watching this show wants more time spent on the wife and daughter, no matter how naked they get. It's an attempt to create "characters," which is shorthand for "attract female viewers."

I couldn't disagree more strongly with this opinion. Based on comments I've seen both here and elsewhere, I think most women viewers of Landman are, at best, annoyed with those two portrayals, and at worst, disgusted. Angela and Ainsley are not the huge attraction for female viewers Sheridan might assume they are, except perhaps to lesbians and a niche segment of women in Texas.

3 hours ago, Ottis said:

I never watched Yellowstone (or any of its derivatives), because it looked like a soap opera to me. I've since seen many comments and even a few reviews that say it is. I had hoped Landman would be different, but I'm getting strong soap opera vibes. 

Back in the 1980s, Larry Hagman and the Dallas TV series set a new standard for primetime soap operas. In the first establishing arial shot of Tommy's house in Landman, Sheridan seemed to be nodding to Dallas' fictional Southfork ranch.

In Yellowstone, Kevin Costner was basically the male version of the stars of Falcon Crest, Dynasty, and Knots Landing. Yellowstone has had references to all three of those shows which were the peak of primetime soapdom. I think Costner still enjoys the same level of popularity BBT does but perhaps is less ready to "settle" for acting in a TV series versus films.

I know soap operas are not everyone's cup of tea but I don't think calling Landman and Yellowstone soaps is a criticism. Streaming soap opera seems to be a lane Sheridan is deliberately and successfully driving in.

[Ottis]

10 hours ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

I couldn't disagree more strongly with this opinion. Based on comments I've seen both here and elsewhere, I think most women viewers of Landman are, at best, annoyed with those two portrayals, and at worst, disgusted. Angela and Ainsley are not the huge attraction for female viewers Sheridan might assume they are, except perhaps to lesbians and a niche segment of women in Texas.

That wasn't my point. I don't assume a large lesbian audience, LOL. My point is that the wife and daughter are part of a storytelling technique of creating "characters." Women viewers like characters. It's why Lost created a fascinating mystery in season one, then screwed it up in season two with flashbacks and "characters." It's why Olympic coverage many years ago started doing "Up Close and Personal" segments... to attract women, who were viewed as less interested in the mechanics of the sport - and in the case of Landman, the mechanics of the oil industry.

I didn't say Landman did it *well.* But there are many women viewers of this show who find the dynamics of Ainsley and Tommy's on-again-off-again relationship, and Tommy's depiction of a caring father, and his daughter's portrayal of a young woman learning what the world is really like, interesting and worth watching. They dismiss the nudity.

Most men don't care about any of that. They want to see more about the business of the patch, the type of work done, the dangers of it and its monetary rewards. I've made it to ep 6 in this show, and every time we go to either the wife or daughter alone in a scene or with each other, I fast forward. I don't care what they do, how much complexity they bring or what challenges they face. Note: The actors are doing a fine job, my issue is with the roles.

BTW, note that a number of people have commented here that they prefer Cooper to the wife and daughter. Cooper works in the patch. What has happened to him is tied to working in the industry. It's interesting. Now, what happens to him soon is headed down the soap opera path, but this thread is before we get there.

10 hours ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

I know soap operas are not everyone's cup of tea but I don't think calling Landman and Yellowstone soaps is a criticism.

I respect the fact you think that, and remember (as I do) past primetime soap operas like Dallas and Dynesty. I never watched those shows, because they were clearly soap operas. For me, calling something a soap opera is a criticism. There is a fine line between offering engaging stories with characters you learn to care about, and jerking your audience around with cheap soap opera ploys like babies and petty jealousy and shallow manipulation. Landman is headed in the wrong direction, for me. And it pisses me off because BBT is so good.

Edited January 15 by Ottis

[Chit Chat]

14 minutes ago, Ottis said:

My point is that the wife and daughter are part of a storytelling technique of creating "characters." Women viewers like characters.

I don't like the way these 2 women are written, and I posted that soon after they were introduced.  They're a freak show compared to the rest of the show.  

 

15 minutes ago, Ottis said:

It's why Olympic coverage many years ago started doing "Up Close and Personal" segments... to attract women, who were viewed as less interested in the mechanics of the sport - and in the case of Landman, the mechanics of the oil industry.

If that's the case, then TPTB got it wrong!  Many of us women like the "mechanics" of sports and in particular, this show and their depiction of the oil industry.  Taylor Sheridan has offended many women with his portrayal of Ainsley.  He needs to keep his teenage fantasies to himself.  

[Joimiaroxeu]

2 hours ago, Ottis said:

Women viewers like characters. It's why Lost created a fascinating mystery in season one, then screwed it up in season two with flashbacks and "characters." It's why Olympic coverage many years ago started doing "Up Close and Personal" segments... to attract women, who were viewed as less interested in the mechanics of the sport - and in the case of Landman, the mechanics of the oil industry.

This generalized notion of women viewers is so unfathomably misogynist I can barely wrap my head around it. What is "the sport" of Olympics coverage? The Olympics games involve many sports, some of which are dominated by men and others which are dominated by women. And there are a few which include both. But gosh, the mechanics are too complicated for poor stupid women? Give me a beak.

Sure, the oil industry is male-dominated. Does that mean a fictional show about it can't include women* unless they're mostly in the background? (*Or whatever "characters" means. So far, it's reading as "sexist stereotypes" to me.) It does not seem to me that's largely what Sheridan was going for. I don't think absent the portrayals of Ainsley and Angela women would not be watching Landmen. BBT is a draw for both women and men.

2 hours ago, Ottis said:

note that a number of people have commented here that they prefer Cooper to the wife and daughter.

I'm not sure why anyone would see the presence of Cooper and Angela & Angela as an either/or situation. Again, it does not appear to me that Sheridan expected women not to watch this show unless there were stereotypical portrayals like Angela and Ainsley. IMO they are not the draw for most women viewers, and they're not offensive enough to outshine BBT. I can't speak for whether the average male viewer would find Angela and Ainsley's bodies or personalities attractive.

Edited January 15 by Joimiaroxeu

[Ottis]

1 hour ago, Chit Chat said:

I don't like the way these 2 women are written, and I posted that soon after they were introduced.  They're a freak show compared to the rest of the show.

Like I posted earlier, I didn't say they wrote those characters well, lol. But I would suggest the fact they are a freakshow is part of the tapestry. Look at Monty's daughters, who in a future ep

Spoiler

the show will make a point of noting they aren't at the hospital after Monty has a heart attack

Demi Moore's characters isn't fully painted, yet, but I think the show is giving us a consistent portrait on the women in the moneyed oil and gas industry.

1 hour ago, Chit Chat said:

Many of us women like the "mechanics" of sports and in particular, this show and their depiction of the oil industry. 

Sure, many do. There are always different perspectives. I'm just saying that *in the television industry*, it's a thing to believe women = characters. And it's annoying. I think we agree on that.

[Joimiaroxeu]

1 minute ago, Ottis said:

*in the television industry*, it's a thing to believe women = character

I'd be interested in seeing evidence of this, that the so-called Television Industry specifically views women as stereotypes.

[Ottis]

4 minutes ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

This generalized notion of women viewers is so unfathomably misogynist I can barely wrap my head around it.

Maybe, but it has been part of the television approach for years. Movies, too. Why do you think so many action movies have a love interest? It's not because male viewers want it. It's an attempt to broaden (no pun intended) audience appeal. 

6 minutes ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

I'm note sure why anyone would see the presence of Cooper and Angela & Angela an either/or situation. Again, it does not appear to me that Sheridan expected women not to watch this show unless there were stereotypical portrayals like Angela and Ainsley. IMO they are not the draw for most women viewers, and they're not offensive enough to outshine BBT.

I am failing to be clear on what I am saying. I'm sure there are many women who are not amused by Angela and AInsley. It's that the traditional TV view is to "add characters" to broaden the viewing audience, and in a show that is about a man and an oil field, "broaden" would mean "more women viewers." 

The shame of it is, there *are* aspects of, say, Tommy's relationship with Angela that are fascinating for anyone. But they tend to be overshadowed with all the overt sexiness, and wacky hijinks. Just as, in later episodes, Cooper's

Spoiler

path to oil baron is set aside for his inexplicable romance with the widow of his former crew team member. I tune out for that stuff.

 

[Ottis]

9 minutes ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

I'd be interested in seeing evidence of this, that the so-called Television Industry specifically views women as stereotypes.

Google it. There have been documentaries about why Olympic coverage added "up close and personal" segments (which has since spread to other sports coverage). Lost was one of the clearest TV examples. After it became a surprise hit in season one, and before season two aired, the producers were quoted many times as saying season 2 "would be about the characters" and less about the "smoke monster" and the island. That sci-fi stuff limited the audience. Shoot, if these boards are still active for Lost, go back and read the posts that second season - especially the ep about how the male lead got a tattoo.

Thankfully, we've made a lot of progress. Today tons of good action shows have female leads (Killing Eve, among them) and men and women watch shows for many reasons. But that doesn't change the past, or that some people still believe old rules of thumb. .