The oil fields of West Texas never sleep. Neither do the troubles brewing in Paramount+’s new drama “Landman.” Episode four has just dropped, and let me tell you, it lives up to its title: “The Sting of Second Chances.” Relationships crackle, resentments simmer, and the stakes—emotional and physical—just keep getting higher out in Midland. Here’s a full-throttle dive into all the legal wrangling, family dysfunction, and risky ambition this episode has to offer.
Rebecca Falcone’s Big Day in Court
Paramount+’s “Landman” loves a good legal showdown, and nobody enjoys being underestimated more than Rebecca Falcone. Played with sharp-edged confidence by Kayla Wallace, Rebecca steps right up to the plate when M-Tex, the mighty oil company, faces a deposition that could cost them millions—or just their reputation, depending on who’s really to blame for the shenanigans with the stolen plane.
Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) walks into that conference room with a mix of swagger and wariness. He’s a man who knows when the chips are down, but he also knows he’s got Rebecca in his corner, which means no one leaves unscathed.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Ian Crowley, starts tossing smug remarks. He thinks he has the upper hand, leaning on gendered assumptions and underestimating the competition. Rebecca just about blows him out of his chair when she shoots back, “I charge $900 an hour, you asshole, and you’re real close to learning why.” The whole room takes notice.
Step by step, she tears apart their complaint:
- She points out Tommy did report the stolen plane to the FAA, not just the sheriff.
- She forces TTP, the suing company, to admit their truck was on private property when the crash occurred.
- She doesn’t blink once, even when they try to rattle her with legalese.
After the grilling, TTP settles for a lot less than they hoped. Tommy can’t help but be impressed, and for the first time, their relationship softens. Later, he invites her out for a drink. It’s a small move, but it sets a new tone between the sharp attorney and the old oilman.
Angela’s Return: Old Wounds, New Drama
Nothing stirs the pot in Midland like Angela Norris (Ali Larter) rolling back into town, daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) in tow. The pair try to experience a slice of Texas high life at the Midland View Country Club, but get promptly denied entrance. Apparently, not even old oil money buys you entry when there’s a private event.
So, mother and daughter head to The Patch Café. The mood shifts quickly when Tommy walks in—with Rebecca, no less. Angela tries to mask her discomfort, but it’s not really working. She invites them to join her table, the atmosphere thick with tension, nostalgia, and a dash of passive aggression.
Dinner soon morphs into a memory lane detour. Angela reminds Tommy of the hard years: losing everything in the oil market crash, the sacrifices, the break-down of their marriage. She talks about their old life so vividly, even Ainsley can’t escape the gravity of the past. Tommy doesn’t say much, but you can see the struggle on his face.
Afterward, Angela drops her bombshell. She admits she wants him back. She says she’ll leave her current husband and start fresh—something she’s not said before. Tommy’s conflicted. He argues they never coped well with the pressure and that the oil game, with its highs and lows, pulled them apart. Still, Angela’s persistence and their shared past begin to chip away at his resolve. Before the episode closes, Tommy seems open, if reluctantly, to a second try with her.
Cooper’s Crash Course in Oilfield Survival
While his parents struggle with their past, Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland) tries to carve his own path, and this week, things get real. Working out on the rig, Cooper faces a high-pressure situation when his colleague Antonio gets injured—a reminder that oil work can flip from ordinary to dangerous in a second.
Instead of freezing or ducking for cover, Cooper gets called up. The crew needs him to work the derrickhand position, a physically demanding job he’s never trained for. He just does it. Fumbling at first, he quickly rights himself and pushes through. The older guys take note. If there’s such a thing as earning your stripes in the oilfields, Cooper just got his.
But the day’s not over. Cooper heads back to his trailer, where he’s interrupted by a call from Ariana (Paulina Chávez). Ariana’s husband died in a previous M-Tex disaster, and family warned Cooper to keep away. Now, she wants to meet. He agrees. The move promises emotional complications down the road—perhaps even more trouble for both of them.
Breaking Down the Relationships: Who’s Up, Who’s Down?
Let’s pause and untangle some of the messes left in the wake of this episode.
Tommy & Rebecca
- He goes from professional adversary to something warmer with Rebecca.
- The drink at the bar signals possible friendship—or more.
Tommy & Angela
- Old feelings resurface, but so do old resentments.
- Angela wants a second chance, promising to ditch her current husband for him.
- Tommy wavers, not sure if the love or the pain is stronger.
Cooper & Ariana
- Cooper’s compassion meets Ariana’s grief.
- Their secret meeting signals more than just friendship brewing.
- The risk: crossing family boundaries and getting mixed up in unresolved tragedy.
Rebecca vs The World
- Rebecca slays in the deposition.
- Her position as top legal mind at M-Tex solidifies.
- She shakes off any sexist digs and commands respect.
The Themes Heating Up
What makes “The Sting of Second Chances” click isn’t just the legal drama or the family squabbles—it’s the way these different fights reflect each other. Everyone’s chasing redemption or atonement, one way or another. No one gets off easy.
- For Tommy, second chances come with baggage and anxiety. He knows better than most that the past never stays buried in Midland.
- For Rebecca, respect has to be earned every day, in every room she walks into. She rides the line between aggression and integrity, and it pays off here.
- For Angela, love means risking humiliation or heartbreak all over again. She wants back in, but the price isn’t clear.
- For Cooper, a second shot at proving himself lands him in danger, both on the job and maybe off it, too.
Looking Ahead: Will Midland Ever Rest?
Out in the Permian Basin, stories like these never really end—they just cycle back, like the oil beneath the ground. People try to patch old wounds, settle old debts, and find a new way forward. Something always pulls them back: family, loyalty, money, or the lure of a boom.
This episode trades on the whole idea of second chances. It asks: Is it ever too late to fix what’s broken? Or do you just wind up right where you started, hoping for a different outcome? As “Landman” barrels forward, don’t expect neat answers. Expect more messy, real, very human stakes.
Keep watching—and keep your seatbelt fastened. Next time, Midland might just explode.
