The following contains spoilers for Landman Season 2, Episode 8, “Handsome Touched Me,” which premiered on Sunday, January 4, 2025, on Paramount+.
Landman has drawn plenty of controversy for its storylines about the women surrounding Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris character, including his ex-wife, Angela (Ali Larter), and daughter, Ainsley Norris (Michelle Randolph), which have contributed to the divisive reception of Taylor Sheridan’s oil drama. However, Landman is redeeming a key character heading into the finale of Landman Season 2.
The show’s sophomore run had Paramount+’s biggest premiere ever, amassing 9.2 million viewers in two days, according to the platform. However, even though many fans have stuck with Landman despite its divisive reception, that doesn’t mean viewers like or agree with everything happening in Tommy Norris’ life in Midland, Texas, with lots of complaints about the Norris women.
Landman Season 2 Episode 8 Finally Redeems Angela Norris
So far, the Norris women have brought controversial stories to the series, with reviews of Landman Season 2 pointing out that the series was recycling its worst tropes. However, Angela’s luck may begin to change after Episode 8, with Tommy’s ex-wife proving that she’s criminally underestimated by others and more than just the “eye candy” some viewers regard her as
Angela has a significant moment in “Handsome Touched Me,” when she takes her nursing home residents to the casino. She borrows $10,000 from the family safe to fund the endeavor, saying she wants to change her old folks’ lives. However, it’s her own life and reputation that Tommy’s ex-wife changes, as Angela wins over $300,000 on her day out.
The development proves that Angela is more than just the “trophy wife” she’s perceived as. The most recent Landman episode proves that Angela possesses a unique understanding of gambling odds, which adds to her robust persona and showcases her wit. With her winnings, Angela provides Tommy with a 3,000% return on his investment, dispelling doubts that she doesn’t offer value.
The latest Angela Norris story suggests Tommy’s ex-wife can add value to their life and to the series, even amid her sometimes temperamental demeanor. That said, Tommy really turned things around, reconciling with Angela about years of turmoil in Landman Season 2, Episode 7, which set the stage for Angela to evolve into a more grounded, mature character.