‘Landman’s “Plans, Tears, and Sirens” Is Its Most Controversial Episode Yet

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Warning: Includes SPOILERS for ‘Landman’ Season 2, Episode 9!

Fans are wondering what’s going wrong with Landman. While the first season was a hit – some even thought it was better than Yellowstone – the second season has received a very mixed reaction. The latest episode, “Plans, Tears, and Sirens,” appears to be the lowest-rated one yet, currently scoring a 6.8 on IMDb.

It’s becoming clear why Taylor Sheridan hasn’t won major awards. He consistently builds up promising narratives, only to let them fall apart with poor storytelling – though he occasionally manages a compelling moment. He’s on track to become the new Tyler Perry, known for consistently delivering flawed but captivating stories. The most recent episode is full of predictable tropes and actually highlights one of the show’s biggest weaknesses.

“Plans, Tears, and Sirens” Throws Jabs at Liberal Media, but Nothing Lands


Paramount+

The second-to-last episode is packed with events, like Tommy losing his job with Cami. But a particularly compelling storyline focuses on Tommy’s daughter, Ainsley, going to a cheerleading camp at TCU. Though it’s just a short camp, her mother, Angela, is inconsolably upset when she leaves her there – it really makes you wonder who’s supposed to be the one in charge!

Things get tense when Ainsley’s new roommate, Paigyn, moves in. Paigyn, who is studying sports medicine and identifies as non-binary, is very particular about everything. They dislike music and air fresheners, and generally seem critical of others. Adding to the challenges, Paigyn is vegan and quick to point out how they prefer things – including the pronunciation of their name, which is ‘Pagan,’ like the old religion.

It’s becoming obvious where the storyline is headed. The character Paigyn – non-binary, vegan, and a mental health advocate with a name some might find controversial – feels like a deliberate attempt to create someone the conservative media would dislike. The show clearly takes a stance on these issues. Ainsley immediately criticizes Paigyn, questioning the use of “they/them” pronouns, but her delivery is so sarcastic it’s almost comical, like when she says, “I’m gonna let they meditate, and I’ll see they later.”

Ainsley doesn’t try to fix the problem herself. Instead, she complains to management, who suggest she talk to her roommate to find a compromise. Unhappy with this, Ainsley immediately calls her mother for help. This is exactly what Angela has been hoping for. Like a superhero, Angela rushes to her daughter’s rescue, taking her out of the dorms and getting her an apartment with a pool. They then make it clear to Paigyn that she’s not invited to their upcoming party.

In “Plans, Tears, and Sirens,” Sheridan Misses an Opportunity To Make Ainsley a Better Character


Paramount+

Ainsley is definitely a flawed character on Landman, and the second-to-last episode wasted a chance to help her grow. It could have been a moment for her to become more independent from her mother, but instead, she missed the opportunity. The storyline with Paige also could have shown Ainsley’s good side, but she ultimately made things worse.

Paigyn isn’t a particularly sympathetic character – definitely not someone like Taylor Mason from Billions. It’s hard to relate to someone who claims a dorm room as a personal sanctuary and then imposes so many rules. However, Ainsley would have benefited more from confronting Paigyn and learning from the situation instead of avoiding them. The storyline feels like an allegory, and the ending seems to imply that it’s better to either oppose or avoid people with liberal views – treating them as overwhelming forces – rather than trying to find common ground.

Ainsley hasn’t really developed as a character after two seasons, and it’s hard to see where her storyline is going. It’s starting to feel like she’ll remain dependent on her mother for the show’s duration. Interestingly, Angela recently described Paigyn as someone who dislikes herself and blames others – a description that actually fits Ainsley much better. It makes you wonder if Ainsley is facing similar issues.

Cooper’s “Knight in Shining Armor” Moment Is Also Poorly Executed


Paramount+

Just when things seemed bad with the Ainsley situation, the episode “Plans, Tears, and Sirens” adds another unbelievable twist. Ariana is attacked by a wealthy customer she previously turned down while briefly outside of work. Luckily, Cooper happens to be at the same bar and, after not finding her inside, comes outside to discover the man assaulting her. He immediately starts punching the attacker, but Ariana quickly pleads with him to stop, fearing he’ll go too far.

Cooper’s behavior was well-received socially, but recent events are creating trouble for him. A security camera recorded the incident, which will likely have legal consequences. After proactively expanding his oil operation, he’s now facing personal issues that threaten to undo his progress.

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It felt like the show suddenly tried to tackle too many big issues in a single episode, but it wasn’t necessary. Focusing on Tommy getting fired from M-Tex would have made for a strong, focused story. And using the subject of sexual assault simply as a way to show Cooper facing repercussions felt trivializing and insensitive, given the seriousness of the topic.

The show seems to be trying to make Cooper appear more hardened than he’s ever been, but it would have been more effective to simply show him physically defending himself, like against some robbers. Honestly, it might be best to just keep him as the kind, gentle person he always was – there’s nothing wrong with that.

Will the season finale offer some resolution for Ainsley and prevent Cooper from facing unfair consequences? We’ll have to wait and see. This episode felt like an easy win for Taylor Sheridan, and it’s disappointing because he’s capable of much more. Landman doesn’t need to rely on cheap tricks and unnecessary drama; the show has a strong story at its heart, but it needs to move past these childish attempts at provocation.

Catch the Landman Season 2 finale on Sunday, January 18.

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2026-01-14 04:19