Reviewer Rating: 3.75/5.0
3.75
As we enter the final episodes of the season, this crazy world gets even crazier.
From heart attacks to the National Guard playing war games in M-Tex land to curb drug cartels, it’s clear this story is heading for an explosive conclusion.
Randleman Season 1 Episode 8 proved that the narrative has no intention of slowing down, and I couldn’t be happier about that.
Just when I thought Ainsley had failed…
As far as I know, Ainsley isn’t anyone’s favorite character. She is on the verge of adulthood and lacks any of the basic tools to survive as a successful adult.
It still shocks me that she has never seen a nursing home. In Landman Season 1 Episode 7, her childlike reaction when she realizes people are gathering together to die is shocking.
But, just as it affected her mother, this new experience might be the best thing for Ainsley.
She’s still Angela’s mini-me, but spending time with the facility’s residents encourages her to take a closer look at her future quarterback husband, Roger, to see if he has a nice ass. Contact with these residents may have been Angela’s greatest gift to her daughter.
Are there cracks in Tommy and Angela’s relationship?
If Ainsley discovered another side of himself, Angela didn’t have the same luck.
Every scene between Angela and Tommy increased my anxiety level a few degrees. Angela has ridiculous rules about everything – from how she likes sex in the morning to when she can and can’t smoke in the house.
Although Angela is demanding, she also has moments of genuine concern, such as her concern when Tommy mentions that she ate cereal for dinner every day before arriving. She uses heinous behavior to protect her emotions, but she still has hope.
Tommy was usually unaffected by their banter, but even he had limitations. After that day, he could no longer bear Angela’s scoldings – even joking scoldings.
Are there cracks in their newly rebuilt relationship? Probably not. They’ve probably played this game so many times that even having a bad reaction after a terrible day won’t really hurt them.
Excuse me. Five heart attacks?
Before we get into the reasons why, let’s pause for a moment and get into the facts about Monty’s alleged fifth heart attack.
When he met with the governor to request the National Guard, the governor was enjoying hollandaise, the creamy goodness that makes everything delicious. Monty claimed to have never eaten it, and if he had a fifth heart attack, there would be traces of it.
However, the governor embraces life and all it has to offer and believes in God’s plan for each person. He believed you can’t change the path God has set.
It might sound a bit contrived, but all the herbal tea in the world didn’t relieve Monty’s stress—the real culprit behind his poor stock. Denying life’s joys isn’t helpful; if anything, it may increase his stress.
It’s also worth noting that the Governor is played by Maxwell Caufield, sparking debate among Gen-Xers about whether Grease 2 is more worthy than Grease. Gen Xers, sound off in the comments!
call in national guard
Monty’s meeting with the governor was to discuss calling up the Texas National Guard but did not formally activate them. This is a brilliant plan.
Politics and the oil business go hand in hand, showing how this alliance benefits everyone. Tommy threatens the cartel thugs with government intervention and gives the land to the Guard for training, and everyone wins.
M-Tex gained a military presence without officially involving the military. The Guard gained a training ground and Texas curbed the drug presence that threatened its way of life.
But what is the final scene about? The Guard seemed wary of using explosives near the rig, but when the cartel was making a deal, the explosion occurred. Soldiers flying over the scene in helicopters appeared confused, wondering if they had hit a bogey.
Any thoughts on what happened?
Rebecca better watch your step
Early in the season, before I knew better, I thought Rebecca might learn something from Ariana’s survival skills and soften her edges. I was wrong.
Dealing with Ariana has only made Rebecca stronger. She seemed devoid of humanity.
Her interrogation of Cooper turned into outright threats and a promise of all-out war against him and Ariana if he continued to advise her on legal options.
Cooper, like his father, was undeterred. He stood firm, pointing out that lawyers would not show up at 7 a.m. without a solid case. Rebecca was fooled and became angrier.
For someone who shares her ideals, her rejection of Cooper’s truth is deeply out of character. She embraces green energy, eschews gender norms, but rejects someone’s truth? This is hypocrisy at its finest.
Rebecca’s ego cannot handle failure, which makes her dangerous. She underestimated those around her, a fatal flaw. Ariana and Cooper surprised her but underestimated Tommy? This is crazy.
Rebecca crossed a line by reaching out to Tommy and threatening to frame Cooper. She’s dangerous, and Monty would be wise to get rid of her before she gets him into serious trouble.
If there’s one thing Tommy knows, it’s business. An all-out war between legal counsel and insiders will not end well.
Currently, Tommy poses an active threat to Rebecca, and I never want to see anyone more frustrated than the smug lawyer.
This is clumsy, okay?
After Rebecca and Nate’s visit, Ariana becomes emotionally attached to Cooper, who quits his job to support her.
She felt it was too soon for the man who had just given up his livelihood for her. But he was determined and committed to one day running the oil company differently than they had experienced.
They grew closer even though they knew how quickly things were moving and how things were perceived by the outside world. Ariana didn’t want to wait, but it was clear she was filled with guilt when she said each interruption was a warning from God to stop.
There was a clear difference between Envio and Cooper, and she loved being with Cooper. He looked at her in a way her husband never did. Nate sees it, too, and warns Tommy that this isn’t a passing fantasy—it’s real.
This scared Tommy. He knows how disaster can wreak havoc on a relationship, having experienced the devastating highs and lows of losing Angela. How will Ariana and Cooper survive when their beginnings are already filled with pain?
When Tommy comes to visit, Ariana’s confusion is palpable. He simply asked them what they were doing, seeking the truth, not lies. Yet Ariana launched into a tirade and passed judgment.
Even when she kicks him out, it’s clear her reaction stems from inner turmoil rather than Tommy’s words. The battle within her intensifies, and its weight is felt by everyone who crosses her path.
There are two episodes left in Randleman’s first season.
Watch Randleman online
