In “Landman,” Jacob Lofland’s Cooper quickly became a cult favorite – a young man determined to carve a place for himself in a harsh and dangerous world.
Randleman Season 1 Episode 5, “Where Home Is”, once again pushes Cooper to his limits as he develops a budding relationship with Ariana, is once again beaten by her cousin, and faces An awkward reunion with mother Angela.
Jacob Lofland shares his thoughts on Cooper’s journey so far, what drives the character forward, and what we can expect from the rest of the season.
Where is Cooper’s head?
Entering the fifth episode, Cooper’s life is full of challenges.
Jacob shared, “I don’t know if he really knows where his head is. He still has a goal in mind to do the best he can in this industry…and one day have his own business [company]”.
Despite the chaos, Cooper remains focused on proving himself.
“He knows he has to do everything right [of the job],” Jacob added. “He tried to figure it out, but ultimately [Episode 5]some path changes have definitely needed to be made since then.
Help Ariana – and himself
A large portion of the episode focused on Cooper stepping in to help Ariana with her house and bills, despite the risk to her family.
When asked why Cooper was so willing to expose himself, Jacob explained: “I think it’s almost like a trauma bonding type of thing. It helps both of them not be alone. At the end of the day, he has a heart Big heart, he’s a good guy who just tries to do what he can.
The episode’s most striking moment was the lawn-mowing scene, which Jacobs said was an opportunity to explore Cooper’s weaknesses.
“We saw Cooper trying to be a blue-collar worker, but now we sit back and see that he’s actually just a kid,” Jacobs said. “He really doesn’t know what he’s getting into… It’s a funny little moment of loss, and she takes the lead. It’s an interesting dynamic.
Tensions with Ariana’s family
In this episode, tensions with Ariana’s cousins reach a boiling point, culminating in Cooper being brutally beaten again.
When asked about the recurring violence, Jacob laughed, “It’s become the norm with Cooper. He’s always down to earth.
However, filming these intense scenes came with its own challenges. Jacob praised the stunt team for their seamless work.
“We have one of the best stunt teams. I had a lot of fun, but they always let me try it first. Although it’s physically difficult, when you have the right people, everything goes smoothly and the effect very good.
As for Cooper’s warning to Manuel – “This is the third and final time” – Jacob admits he can’t say much. “It will tie itself back together. I won’t say it probably wasn’t Cooper’s hand, but it will work itself out,” he said with a laugh.
Family drama and “home”
The episode also brings Cooper back into the orbit of his estranged mother Angela, attending an awkward family dinner that does nothing to repair their fractured relationship.
Angela acts normal with her rented furniture and elaborate meals, but Cooper clearly isn’t buying it, and the tension is palpable.
Jacob reflected on the dynamic, “I don’t think Cooper really wanted to be there in the first place…I don’t think it’s doing much right now. It’s not a good fit for Cooper.
The episode also contrasts Cooper’s feelings about his biological family with his growing connection with Ariana. Cooper seems to feel more comfortable helping her than helping his own family, and Jacob agrees.
“That’s a really good question…I think those questions will be answered as the series progresses,” he said, noting that while the character’s backstory hasn’t been fully revealed yet, it will hopefully be clarified later.
The episode’s title, “Where Home Is,” reflects Cooper’s ongoing struggles. He has no home.
He’s not sitting in that little box waiting for work to start again. Not with Ariana, although he made it kind of cozy. Angela and Tommy weren’t home either.
When asked how long it will take for Cooper to find his niche, Jacobs admitted, “We can only hope that soon…Tyler and Christian will definitely lead us down an interesting path.”
What’s next for Cooper?
Jacob teased that the second half of the season will be full of twists and surprises. “Fun, super suspenseful, and… gripping,” he said with a laugh.
“This is Taylor Sheridan’s world,” he said with a laugh. “You knew there was going to be some suspense there!”
As for Cooper? Jacob believes his character’s blind determination will keep him going. “He was trying to prove it to himself, his father and everyone around him,” he said. “He wanted people to see that he did it on his own.”
Whether Cooper can find a home or simply survive remains to be seen. One thing is clear – Jacob Lovland’s performance has us rooting for him every step of the way.
New episodes of “Landman” will air on Paramount+ on Sunday.
Watch Randleman online
