Wolves at the Door
The dust never settles for long in West Texas, and Landman’s ninth episode, “WolfCamp,” proves it. With only one more episode to go this season, the show’s creators crank the tension to eleven. This week throws Tommy Norris straight into the deep end, tests the loyalty of everyone around him, and even squeezes a cameo from Dallas Cowboys’ own Jerry Jones. Let’s break down every twist and wild turn from “WolfCamp,” a chapter throbbing with ambition, danger, and a pinch of showgirl sparkle.
Tommy Rises, But The Ladder’s On Fire
When the episode opens, Tommy gets a promotion, but it’s about as relaxing as an oil rig explosion. Monty Miller—still recovering, barely clinging on—makes Tommy his new Vice President of Operations. That’s a big seat for Tommy, who’s spent most of the season sweating out in the oil fields or juggling various crises. Still, this is Landman, and celebrations come with complications. Right away, Monty gives Rebecca Falcone the title of Vice President of Exploration. Tommy grins through his teeth, but viewers know he’s wary.
Rebecca’s not exactly Tommy’s idea of a team player. She’s cutthroat, sharp, and ambitious enough to scare the hell out of the roughest roughneck. But Monty’s decision signals a shift. The old guard’s slipping, and a new, hungrier breed is taking over at M-Tex. Tommy steps into that creek, boots sinking fast, and realizes he might be in over his head.
The Cartel Isn’t Finished Yet
Did you think the drama topped out with backroom deals? Not even close. The cartel—introduced earlier this season as a shadowy, very real threat—moves from intimidation right into outright sabotage. They torch a critical M-Tex facility, sending flames (literal and figurative) roaring through the rest of the operation. This isn’t just a personal jab at Tommy or Monty. It’s a message for everyone who thinks they’re untouchable in the Permian Basin.
For Tommy, the cartel’s attack is a wake-up call. Security beefs up, trust withers, and everyone starts glancing over their shoulders. The oil business, already brutal, now feels like a war zone. On top of that, Tommy learns that being a leader means he’s at the front lines—sometimes both the first and last target.
Cooper Swings Big—Or Swings Wild
Not everyone at M-Tex wants to play it safe. Cooper Norris strolls into “WolfCamp” with a black eye and an even bolder idea. After getting pummeled last episode, he seems energized. Cooper opens up to Ariana, sketching out his plans to strike gold in the Delaware Basin. He wants to snap up leases, drill new wells, and—wildest of all—create his own oil company.
It’s not subtle. He wants Ariana by his side, and not just as a business partner. Their chemistry crackles all episode, grounding the high-stakes boardroom thriller with something more human. Cooper’s ambitions echo Tommy’s, but their approaches couldn’t be more different. Cooper’s swagger and risks contrast sharply with Tommy’s hard-earned caution.
Angela and Ainsley Lighten the Mood (And Things Get Weird)
In the middle of cutthroat corporate politics and cartel threats, Landman serves up a subplot that could only happen in Texas. Angela and Ainsley—a duo on a strange mission—decide the folks at the local retirement home deserve some fun. So, where else do they take them but a strip club? Their pitch is charmingly odd and, as luck would have it, they rope Ainsley’s on-again-off-again boyfriend Ryder into performing as a male stripper.
The result? Utter comic relief. The strait-laced residents of the home start off skeptical, but by the end, the scene oozes joy—and frankly, surprise. It’s a reminder that even in West Texas’ oil wars, sometimes you just need to laugh your hat off. The whole sequence pokes fun at small-town rules and aging with attitude.
Monty’s Health: A Time Bomb Ticking Down
But the good times can’t last. Monty Miller’s health nosedives this episode. He spends much of the hour in a hospital bed, hooked up to more machines than an old pumpjack. But Monty’s mind never strays far from the boardroom. In a scene that got fans buzzing, none other than football legend Jerry Jones pays a visit. Their conversation is less shop talk and more about legacy, regrets, and—above all—family.
Jerry Jones drops wisdom about walking away, counseling Monty to make peace with those closest to him instead of fighting to the last dollar. The moment lands for both Monty and for Tommy, who watches his mentor with new eyes. Death, after all, doesn’t care how fat your portfolio is.
Tommy’s Perhaps-Too-Real Conversation With Death
If Monty’s bedsideside chat gets under Tommy’s skin, a more sinister sign definitely does. In the closing act, Tommy witnesses his neighbor shoot a wolf skulking near a herd of livestock. The symbolism doesn’t get lost on anyone: wolves, predators and survivors, have circled the storyline all season. The shot wolf draws a direct line to the dangers closing in—cartels, corporate backstabbers, and a deeply broken family.
Landman’s writers don’t serve up much subtlety here. The scene lands like a punch in the gut, signaling that loss—maybe even Monty’s death—is inevitability circling closer.
Scorch Marks and Silver Linings: An Episode with Everything
There’s a reason “WolfCamp” works as a near-finale when so many shows stumble. It takes all the personal stakes from eight episodes and pours gasoline on them. Monty’s fading strength leaves a vulnerable power vacuum. Tommy’s rise to VP looks more cursed than lucky now. Every handshake carries as much risk as a gunfight. Even the comic sideline of strippers and retirement homes reminds viewers how weirdly resilient people can be, finding joy and connection even with the odds stacked high and ugly.
Let’s not forget:
- The cartel, which started as a rumor, proves it can—and will—do real damage.
- Cooper and Ariana’s budding partnership sizzles with both promise and threat.
- Legacy, in the hands of characters like Monty and Tommy, tugs at the heart and drives the action.
There’s no way to ignore the thumping score or the saturated sunburn visuals, either. Each scene pulses with anxiety. Showrunner Taylor Sheridan cranks every dial up—stakes, pace, and the gnawing sense that, for somebody, this could be the end of the line.
What’s Next, and Why You Should Buckle Up
So, where does “WolfCamp” leave us? Fans online can’t stop speculating. Will Tommy step up and keep the company—and his family—together? Can Cooper’s risky play actually work, or will it blow up like so many dreams out in the oil patch? Most importantly: who, if anyone, makes it out unscathed when the season wraps?
With cartel threats looming, alliances fraying, and family bonds stretched to the snapping point, “WolfCamp” leaves everything set for a finale that could—and probably will—flip the table. If you’ve stuck with Landman this far, now’s not the time to blink. Keep your boots close, and your enemies closer.
The desert’s about to get even hotter.
