Monty’s Fate In Landman’s Season 1 Finale & What It Means For Season 2 Explained

Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for Landman season 1!

Jon Hamm’s Monty dies in Landman’s climactic season 1 finale, setting up major narrative elements for the show going forward. Jon Hamm’s role in Landman’s star-studded cast is that of Monty Miller, the CEO of M-Tex, a private oil company drilling in the Permian Basin. Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, works under him as a crisis management executive, dealing with most of the groundwork while Monty manages the business side of the company. Monty’s long-term heart problems were teased throughout the season, resulting in his hospitalization in episode 9.

Episode 9 saw things take a turn for the worse with Monty’s condition, leaving his death for Landman’s season 1 ending. Despite being one of the most recognizable names in the cast, Jon Hamm only took up a small portion of screen time. Regardless, he gave one of the most exciting performances of the season, and his character’s death will have a drastic effect on the series going forward. With Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan behind the series, matters are only going to grow more complex if Landman is renewed for a second season.

How Monty Dies In Landman’s Season 1 Finale

Monty’s Heart Gives Out Before He Can Get A Transplant

Monty Miller has suffered from heart problems for years, with his wife Cami (Demi Moore) constantly advising him throughout Landman season 1 to exercise or improve his dietary habits. Literally and figuratively, Monty’s role in M-Tex and the constant pursuit of wealth and legacy was what led to his death, as the volatile nature of the oil industry meant he was constantly taking massive risks, experiencing public relations issues, and fending off legal battles. The accumulated stress from years of this lifestyle took its toll.

In the medical sense, Monty’s heart rate began to spike in episode 9. Because of this, the hospital staff were forced to put him under, waiting for him to recover enough to have a heart transplant. Due to the difficulty and cost of finding an organ donor, the doctors didn’t want to go ahead with the transplant unless they knew his body was capable of handling it. That was the last update the audience was given before seeing his heart flat-lining with his family weeping over his body at the end of the episode.

Why Jon Hamm’s Monty Was Killed Off After Just One Season

Monty Dying Makes Room For Tommy At The Top

It’s hard to say exactly why Jon Hamm only lasted one season on Landman, as he was absolutely fantastic in every minute he had in the series. That being said, there are some narrative reasons and reasons based on Jon Hamm’s career habits in recent years that could indicate why. First, it makes sense for the lead of the series not to be the CEO of the company, as Tommy’s position allows him to be more directly involved in M-Tex’s business on the ground level. Not to mention, it makes it a bit less similar to Yellowstone.

Now, with Tommy starting on a lower level, he’s able to ascend through the hierarchy in a meaningful and unique way. Rather than taking over with blood, Tommy is doing this out of a sense of honor and respect for Monty. As for Jon Hamm, the actor has been relatively non-committal with his television roles over the past decade. Since Mad Men ended, he hasn’t appeared in more than thirteen episodes in any of his dozens of shows. In recent years, he has been featured in other prestige series like The Morning Show and Fargo, though only for a season.

What Happens To Cami Now Monty Is Dead?

Cami Will Still Be Involved, As Tommy Essentially Works For Her Now

Cami has been a question mark throughout Landman season 1, given that Demi Moore is one of the most famous and talented stars among the show’s cast. Despite this, she’s been sidelined throughout the season, with barely a full scene of dialogue prior to the finale. Demi Moore was a popular movie star in the 1990s, but she’s recently had a career resurgence due to her Golden Globe-winning role in The Substance, leading to the suspicion that she might have been featured more prominently in Landman. Season 2 will be an opportunity to rectify this.

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Cami likely won’t be a main character in Landman, as she’s still not going to be directly involved in the company’s affairs like Tommy or Nathan. However, she still needs to be consulted regarding financial decisions, and it’s essentially her money that Tommy is playing with now. Given Demi Moore’s recent popularity boost, it would be shocking for Taylor Sheridan not to try to increase her presence in the series. After all, Landman isn’t at its best if one of its top actors isn’t contributing anything of notoriety.

How Monty’s Death Shapes Tommy’s Future & Landman Season 2

Tommy Is Forced To Take A Bigger Role At M-Tex

Given that Tommy is the main protagonist in Landman, he’s going to be the most drastically affected by Monty’s death. Assuming Landman gets picked up for another season, with how popular it’s been and due to Taylor Sheridan’s general credibility with Paramount+, Tommy’s adventures should continue with him as the acting president of M-Tex. Tommy encouraged Cami to sell the company and liquidate her assets, but she declined the option, deciding to go all in on a risky oil gambit instead.

Cami’s hope is to generate more wealth so it can be spent on a foundation, contributing philanthropy and charity to the world in Monty’s name and providing her late husband with the legacy he so desperately sought. Tommy doesn’t want to see Cami succumb to Monty’s fate and likely doesn’t want it for himself, either, but he intends to respect her and Monty’s wishes, doing as she asks with the money. That means Tommy will be at the center of everything going forward.

Season 2 sets up several stories for Landman. First, Tommy has agreed to return to business as usual with the Cartel, but Gallino (Andy Garcia) seems intent on a more mutually beneficial arrangement. Given the risks he’s taking on Cami’s behalf, it wouldn’t be surprising if desperation led him to make a dangerous deal with the drug lord. Next, Cooper’s business plan could put him at odds with Tommy at some point, creating even more inter-Norris family drama. Finally, Rebecca is cooperating for now, but could still be a major risk to Tommy and M-Tex going forward.

Set in West Texas, this series explores the world of oil rigs and the fortunes they create. It portrays a modern upstairs/downstairs narrative of roughnecks and billionaires, highlighting the profound impact on the climate, economy, and geopolitics in these boomtowns.

Release Date

November 17, 2024

Cast

Billy Bob Thornton
, Ali Larter
, Jacob Lofland
, Kayla Wallace
, Mark Collie
, James Jordan
, Demi Moore
, Jon Hamm
, Colm Feore
, Robyn Lively
, Drake Rodger
, Brook Sill
, K.C. Clyde
, Rosemary Dominguez
, Mustafa Speaks
, J.R. Villarreal
, Octavio Rodriguez
, Michael Pena
, Emilio Rivera
, Alex Meraz
, Alejandro Akara

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