"It's 100% propaganda" — Landman criticized for lacking realism in its portrayal of the oil industry
Taylor Sheridan's show Landman has sparked a nationwide conversation about energy and its effects on the environment, blending sharp storytelling with social critique. The rural American drama, created by Sheridan and Christian Wallace, explores the lives of oil business leaders in West Texas, navigating a world where fossil fuels dominate the economy and family dynamics.
The series, based on Wallace's podcast "Boomtown," premiered on Paramount+ on November 17, 2024. The most recent and fourth episode, The Sting of Second Chances, which came out on December 1, 2024, has a famous scene with windmills. This scene has gone viral for its commentary on renewable energy and its environmental implications.
The scene of Landman sparked intense discussions on social media, featuring Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris delivering a monologue on the carbon footprint of wind turbines.
Unimpressed by the show's approach, one of the Reddit users opined that the episode is pure fantasy. They said:
"I was really disappointed. They could have made a good, realistic show, showcasing some of the history of the oil patch in Texas. Instead they went with pure fantasy. Even though I'm in the industry, 4th generation from my family in O&G, I don't appreciate them turning the show into a puff piece for big oil. It's 100% propaganda, almost every line of dialogue," a netizen said.
Another user seemed appalled that Rebecca had never seen a windmill. They sarcastically said:
"What are those?' Spoken like a real Ivy League educated, white shoe attorney. Yea, that bit stuck me as the most ridiculous piece of dialogue," an internet user said.
More internet users shared their views on the show's writing:
"Could be a good show but the writing is absolute garbage," an individual added.
However, some internet users believed that the dialogue in question was meant to be "sarcastic."
"I'm pretty sure she was being sarcastic about it," a Reddit user said.
"In movies/tv shows, characters have to make some very base questions and comments on the obvious so the dialogue or scene can transition. As far as a TV show goes, it would've been to abrupt to go from surveying the crash site to an explanation on the economy of wind turbines," another added.
What happens in the Landman windmill scene?
In The Sting of Second Chances, Landman dives into a pivotal discussion about renewable energy during an intense exchange between Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) and Kayla Wallace’s character. The scene starts with Kayla, a visiting lawyer, asking Tommy about his views on wind energy.
“They use clean energy to power the oil wells?” Kayla asks, presenting the argument with the positive image of renewables. Tommy replies in his usual straightforward manner “They use alternative energy. There is nothing clean about this.”
The conversation gets more heated when Kayla asks Tommy, “Please, Mr. Oilman, tell me how the wind is bad for the environment?” Tommy then gives a detailed explanation about why windmills aren't as clean as people think.
“You have any idea how much diesel will have to burn to mix that much concrete or make that steel and haul this s–t out here and put it together with a 450-foot crane?” he responds.
Tommy continues, pointing out that oil is also needed to maintain and prepare the turbines for winter.
“In its 20-year lifespan, it won’t offset the carbon footprint of making it. And don’t get me started on solar panels and the lithium in your Tesla battery,” he said.
The discussion showed the complications of the environmental impact of renewable energy. Tommy’s point, though controversial, resonates with the show’s overarching theme of exploring the nuanced realities of the energy industry.
The scene has since gone viral, with reactions flooding social media platforms like X. Some users, including experts in the energy industry, praised the monologue for its realism.
Others, such as climate activists, checked the facts and said that the time it takes for wind turbines to pay back their carbon cost is between six months and two years. This part of the show is not just about wind turbines but also represents the bigger challenges faced by a world moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Adding to its impact is Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as Tommy Norris, a character who is both bold and wise. Thornton’s acting turns what could have been a boring discussion into an exciting moment on TV, showing the show’s dedication to addressing important issues.
As discussions on renewable energy remain a major topic worldwide, Landman places itself in the middle of this conversation. The windmill scene in the show highlights that the answers to climate change are just as complicated as the issues themselves, making it a crucial part of a series that isn't afraid to tackle controversial topics.
Fans can watch Landman on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video.
