The Best ‘Landman’ Quotes from Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy

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Taylor Sheridan is known for creating stories about strong, rugged men – whether they’re cowboys in Yellowstone, mobsters in Tulsa King, or influential figures in Mayor of Kingstown. His newest hit, Landman, which debuted in 2024, continues this trend. Starring Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, the show dives into the world of the Texas oil industry. Instead of focusing on wealthy executives (though we do see a bit of that, with a great performance by Jon Hamm), Landman highlights the hard work of the people doing the actual labor to keep things running.

Tommy works for M-TEX Oil as a landman, which means he secures land leases by negotiating with property owners. He’s a key link between the field workers and company management, and often handles unexpected problems as they come up. His job is incredibly unpredictable – one day he might close a huge deal worth millions, the next he could witness a tragic accident, and then find himself dealing with dangerous situations like encounters with drug cartels. He’s a straightforward, tough individual just trying to get through each day.

Tommy is a character who constantly surprises you with either humor or shock, but the best parts of his performance come from Billy Bob Thornton’s long, expressive speeches. These speeches are often blunt, sarcastic, and full of strong language, but they always make a meaningful point – something that’s usually both touching and insightful, and feels like it’s being said directly to the viewers.

12
“I quit drinking. I’ll stick with beer.”

S1E2


Paramount+

Early in the series, we learn that Tommy Norris is in recovery from alcoholism, and he mentions it frequently. However, his idea of being sober is a bit different – he still drinks beer. When people question him about it, he doesn’t want to hear a lesson on how much alcohol is in it; he simply wants to enjoy his beer.

BARTENDER: You sticking with beer or you want something stronger?

TOMMY: I quit drinking. I’ll stick with beer.

BARTENDER: You know, there’s alcohol in that, right?

TOMMY: It’s a Michelob Ultra. There’s more alcohol in orange juice.”

Tommy’s decision to stop drinking wasn’t about improving his health – he still smokes heavily. While we never see him intoxicated, it’s easy to imagine him being even more unpleasant and less capable at work, especially considering the dangers of operating heavy machinery while impaired. Despite this, his struggle with alcohol actually earns him a degree of respect. He’s proven he can endure difficult times, like when he lost everything in an oil industry downturn, and he faces challenges without complaint, simply persevering.

11
“Your girl problem is a lot easier than your business problem.”

S2E02


Paramount+

In the second episode of season two, Tommy shares practical wisdom born from his life in West Texas, offering advice on handling both personal and professional difficulties. He reflects on his experiences as a hardworking man and explains how incredibly high-stakes deals – those worth millions of dollars – can deeply impact families, yet surprisingly, can sometimes be easier to resolve than the personal cost they exact.

I have a strong feeling you’re not getting what you deserve. And she’s right to be worried about money – it causes more problems than it solves, believe me. Your relationship issues are actually simpler than your business ones. Just ask what she wants, really listen, remember her words, and then make it happen.

Tommy’s comment perfectly illustrates a central idea of the season: the conflict between personal connections and the intense pressures of the oil industry. Even more impressively, the line itself is classic Tommy – funny, authoritative, and subtly self-aware.

10
“Good and bad don’t factor into this.”

S1E10


Paramount+

Kayla Wallace plays Rebecca Falcone, a determined lawyer who travels to Midland to investigate an oil pump explosion that killed three workers. Although she and Tommy clash – she supports renewable energy and opposes fossil fuels – she’s very skilled at her job. By the end of the first season, M-TEX hires her as a negotiator, but she worries about not knowing enough about the oil industry and whether it’s right to work for an oil company. Tommy is quick to challenge her beliefs.

REBECCA: I have a really hard time advocating for something I believe is wrong.

Rebecca, it’s not about what’s good or bad. Our ancestors created a society that depends on this – on energy, on resources. Until we find a different way to power things, we have to keep it going, or everything will stop. You could choose to live completely off the grid, give up modern conveniences, and live a self-sufficient life, but you’d be alone in doing so, and it wouldn’t solve the bigger problem. Besides, trying to be perfect isn’t always comfortable.

Rebecca stands out on Landman as the only character who doesn’t fully support the oil industry. She often voices the concerns that viewers might be thinking. Tommy frequently responds to her arguments by explaining the importance of oil, and while it seems like he’s disagreeing with her, it also helps the audience understand the viewpoints of people who actually live and work in these oil-producing communities.

9
“If they ate breakfast at all, it was probably bone marrow and an impala they dried out over a fire.”

S2E1


Paramount+

Tommy’s talks are always captivating, especially when he uses memorable quotes to blend compelling stories with practical life advice. In this one, he playfully explores the idea of breakfast and how we think about needing to eat, contrasting it with the lives of previous generations who worked tirelessly. It’s a refreshingly direct and sometimes cheeky look at history that feels surprisingly relevant.

Anyone who claims breakfast is the most important meal is likely someone who profits from selling breakfast foods. Our ancestors certainly didn’t have breakfast as we know it. Imagine cavemen sitting around eating waffles – it’s ridiculous! If they ate anything in the morning, it was probably something basic like bone marrow or dried meat. They definitely weren’t eating cereal.

Like many of the funny lines in Landman, this one reveals more than just Tommy’s cleverness. It highlights how basic survival needs can be more important than the comforts and standards of modern life. Tommy’s way of doing business is based on genuine experience and gut feeling.

8
“Trying to get money from a billionaire is like pulling teeth.”

S1E5


Paramount+

In the series Landman, Jon Hamm portrays Monty Miller, a wealthy and powerful man who owns M-TEX. He’s also a close friend and employer to the main character, Tommy. The show offers quick looks into Monty’s life, emphasizing how different it is from everyone else’s. We see him schmoozing politicians, confronting those who advocate for renewable energy, and dealing with work stress – sometimes even while recovering from a heart attack. It’s clear being a CEO comes with a lot of pressure.

Honestly, getting a billionaire to part with some money is incredibly difficult. It felt like I was asking for something outrageous, like a vital organ.

Tommy thinks of Monty as a friend, but he gets frustrated when Monty is overly cheap and refuses to spend money on important things. Monty would rather fix broken equipment than fairly compensate the families of workers who died, even though he has plenty of money. Tommy is unique because he understands both the world of the wealthy oil owners and the struggles of everyone else in the industry, giving him a clear view of the class differences.

7
“Nothing. Nobody’s is. That’s what the lawyers are for.”

S2E8


Paramount+

During a discussion about whether to cancel an oil rig lease, Tommy makes a pointed remark. It’s a rather cynical comment, but accurately reflects how business often operates – legal considerations frequently take priority over ethical ones.

CAMI: But the rig is already in motion. It’s been leased.

REBECCA: We will cancel the lease.

If we simply cancel the agreement, what’s the use of even making them in the first place? If we don’t follow through on our promises, then our commitments mean nothing.

TOMMY: Nothing. Nobody’s is. That’s what the lawyers are for.

A central idea in Landman is that verbal promises aren’t enough – everything needs solid legal protection. Tommy makes this point clearly: securing livelihoods and investments legally is more important than simply managing people’s expectations. This directness is a quality viewers appreciate about him.

6
“We have a 120-year petroleum-based infrastructure. Our whole lives depend on it.”

S1E3


Paramount+

Tommy and Rebecca meet soon after Rebecca arrives in town. After she shares her dislike of the oil industry and suggests wind power as a better option, Tommy takes her to a wind turbine to challenge her ideas. While she looks up at the huge structure, he explains why he thinks her perspective isn’t realistic.

Okay, let’s talk about the environmental cost here. It really hits you when you consider the sheer scale of construction – all that concrete, the steel… the diesel needed to make those materials, transport them, and then assemble everything with a massive crane. And that crane? Forget about it. The oil needed to keep it running, to even prepare it for winter… it’s astronomical. Honestly, over its entire 20-year lifespan, this structure simply won’t negate the carbon emissions created just building it. It’s a sobering thought, and one the film doesn’t shy away from.

Honestly, people talk about green energy like it’s a simple fix, but it’s way more complicated than that. Think about where the materials for things like solar panels and electric car batteries come from – it’s not exactly environmentally friendly. And even if everyone switched to electric vehicles overnight, our power grid just isn’t equipped to handle it. It would take decades to build the necessary infrastructure. The truth is, we’ve built our entire world around oil and gas for over a century, and it’s going to take a long time to change that – probably longer than any of us realize, and definitely impacting future generations.

It’s absolutely everywhere – in the roads we drive on, the cars we use, and countless everyday items like tennis rackets, makeup, appliances, and medicine. Basically, anything made of plastic contains it – your phone case, even artificial heart valves! It’s in most of our clothes, soap, and even things like garbage bags and boats. You name it, it’s probably in there. The really worrying part is, we’re going to use it all up before we can find something to replace it.

Tommy’s scenes often feel like direct lessons for the audience, delivered through his interactions with Rebecca. While these moments are clearly intended to be instructive, they’re surprisingly effective, largely thanks to Billy Bob Thornton’s compelling performance – the role was specifically written for him by Taylor Sheridan. This also adds depth to Tommy’s character; he’s allowed to be tough and uncompromising because he’s clearly knowledgeable and has the experience to justify his actions.

5
“I didn’t come here to mourn her passing. I came here to celebrate it.”

S2E4


Paramount+

Season two of Landman really explores Tommy’s history, revealing surprising details about who he is. A lengthy flashback is particularly important because it makes the ending much more impactful. Through Tommy’s memories of his mother and the hardships she faced, we see the painful experiences that shaped him and drove him to survive, ultimately explaining how he became the man we see today.

I’ll never forget coming home from school and finding my mother unconscious and nude in the bathtub. I was fourteen, and my father was away working. I managed to pull her out of the water and called for help. The ambulance operator guided me through CPR, and I remember her coughing up water as I tried to revive her. When she finally sat up, she didn’t seem to recognize me. Then, without warning, she lashed out and kicked me hard in the face. After that, she simply got up and went to make herself another drink.

I packed my entire life into a backpack – that’s all I needed. I haven’t returned to this town since… until now, a week ago. My mother didn’t experience any sudden or unexpected death; she simply passed away peacefully with age. And my father was too frail to leave her side. So, I left them both. I didn’t come back here to grieve, actually, I came to celebrate her life.

Tommy’s comment cuts right to the heart of family relationships, but still manages to be both darkly funny and emotionally insightful – a perfect example of how the show tackles tough topics. More than that, it shows us Tommy’s individual way of looking at the world and handling difficult situations. He sees death not as a tragedy, but as a natural part of life, a perspective that sets him apart.

4
“Getting oil out of the ground’s the most dangerous job in the world.”

S1E3


Paramount

Tommy is once again explaining the oil industry to Rebecca, but this conversation highlights a core idea of the show. It demonstrates that oil companies must constantly change and innovate to survive in a world heavily reliant on the very energy source they often criticize – and that’s a difficult challenge.

I’ve always been struck by how incredibly risky oil work is – truly the most dangerous job out there. The guys I’ve talked to don’t do it because it’s glamorous, not at all. They do it because they feel like they have no other choice, they need to provide for their families. It bothers me when people try to point fingers at the company or supervisors for the hazards, because the real driver of the danger is simply the constant need for more oil. It’s the demand that keeps them pushing forward, and that’s the hard truth.

Throughout the first season of Landman, Tommy is consistently right about how dangerous the oil work is. One moment, someone is casually talking while operating a valve, and the next, a pump explodes, causing multiple deaths and forever changing the lives of many. The show doesn’t avoid depicting these brutal realities; it directly confronts the viewer with them.

3
“You’re a beautiful tornado of a gift, honey.”

S2E7


Paramount+

Tommy is a tough and experienced businessman, but he also values the important things in life. In the seventh episode of season two, he shares a sweet moment with Angela, showing how well they work together. It’s a classic Billy Bob Thornton line – witty, direct, and surprisingly tender.

You know, I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you back in my life. You’re amazing, a whirlwind of wonderful, and honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve done anything to deserve it.

ANGELA: Damn sure don’t.

TOMMY: But I got it. I just want to thank you for it. I love you, honey.

Wow, season two really hit the sweet spot! It’s amazing how they showed that even with all the crazy business stuff going on, the relationships between the characters – especially the connection between Tommy and Angela – felt so real and important. It just proves that even in a tough world like the oil industry, love and human connection still matter a ton.




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2026-01-25 18:41