SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Landman Season 2. It also contains discussion of sexual content, including a mention of rape.

Landman Season 2, Episode 7 is the strongest example of what’s been missing from the Paramount+ show the second time around. “Forever is an Instant” has a few moments that are genuinely moving. But those moments are undercut by instances of inappropriate humor, making it feel like two different shows in the same hour.

On the positive side, Rebecca’s fling with Charlie becomes relevant to the main plot, so audiences finally understand its point. The fact that she slept with someone who’s technically a subordinate is a potential issue for M-TEX, as Rebecca learns their new drilling plan has a very low chance of success. Nathan decides it’s best for the company to litigate the case after all—but that puts her on the hook. This is huge for Rebecca, who values her professional reputation as her identity, and actor Kayla Wallace is wonderful as Rebecca emotes.

She and Billy Bob Thornton have a fantastic scene in which Rebecca confesses to Tommy and expects the worst. Tommy responds by reassuring Rebecca and even confronting Nathan about forcing her to sign a conflict disclosure form, which is miles away from where Rebecca and Tommy’s dynamic was in Season 1. They started out at each other’s throats, and now he’s there for her when she needs him most. That’s heartwarming to see out of two characters who haven’t been paired together enough during Season 2.

Elsewhere, Boss has a moment that seems to tease a bigger idea Sheridan wants to play with, as he reaches 20 years with M-TEX and admits he doesn’t intend to be around for year 21. It’s a small moment that acknowleges the wear and tear of the oil industry, which could easily be expanded upon, especially since it’s mentioned beforehand that Jerrell is still unable to see. So much of Jerrell’s storyline being off-screen is definitely a missed opportunity; Cooper’s injury in Season 1 had a lot of not only dramatic, but thematic impact. Jerrell’s story could have done the same.

Speaking of Cooper, Sheridan closes Landman Season 2, Episode 7 with his incredibly romantic official proposal to Ariana. It’s a perfect moment, beautifully acted by both Jacob Lofland and Paulina Chavez, and feels much more true to Cooper and Ariana than some of their early scenes this season. The growth of their relationship is in direct contrast to Tommy and Angela, whose love-hate dynamic feels more out of place in “Forever is an Instant” than ever before.

The episode gets off to a legitimately cringe-worthy start, as Sheridan writes a scene about Tommy’s Cialis-fueled erection and a flustered hotel waitress who asks him not to rape her. This is presumably meant to be funny, but there’s nothing funny about it—and it gets worse as Angela and Tommy start arguing about him having sexual intercourse with their room service breakfast. Landman has had great moments of humor, but this is not one of them, and it’s a disappointing way to start the episode.

The script doubles down on the issue near the end, when Tommy tells a still-upset Angela how lucky he is to have her. In retrospect, that first scene (however ridiculous) is intended as the catalyst for this serious emotional moment. And that moment almost happens. When Angela tells Tommy that she just wants to be loved, that line is a hint at more depth in her character. However, it’s wedged between Angela saying that Tommy didn’t comment on her breasts, and a list of material things she still wants from him. If Episode 7 had cut back on the humor and just let Tommy and Angela have a real moment together, it would have meant so much.

That’s because “Forever is an Instant” makes the lack of character development for Angela and Ainsley more noticeable. In addition to the aforementioned moments, almost all Ainsley does in this episode is insult Cooper—which has been the bulk of her Season 2 screen time. She hasn’t had an individual arc, like she did in Season 1 with learning to value herself and helping out in the community. And with only three episodes left, it’s hard to see where there will be time for one.

There’s a scare in this episode where Tommy thinks that his father TL has died on the way back from Fort Worth. He hasn’t, thankfully, but it’s enough to give the audience a good jolt because they know what that would mean for Tommy, especially so soon after losing his mom. But that is an example of how great Landman can be. It can deliver scenes that really touch people, when it wants to. But there have been less of those in Season 2. “Forever is an Instant” could be more memorable if it had leaned more into its heart and less into its humor.

Landman streams Sundays on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Paramount+.

Article content is (c)2020-2025 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.