Paulina Chávez has detailed the emotional preparation for an intense scene in Landman Season 2, Episode 9, describing the narrative as a “woman’s worst nightmare.” The episode, titled “Plans, Tears and Sirens”, features her character, Ariana, facing a brutal assault. Chávez explained her process for filming the challenging moment, which has major implications for her character’s relationship with Cooper, played by Jacob Lofland .
The penultimate episode of the season, which premiered on Paramount+ on January 11, delivers significant shocks. Beyond Ariana’s storyline, it features major shifts for other characters, including Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) being fired by Cami (Demi Moore) and their daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) navigating a difficult start to college life .
The Details of the Assault Scene in Landman Episode 9
In Landman Season 2, Episode 9, the danger builds from a previous encounter. Earlier in the season, Ariana was working as a bartender at the Patch Cafe when a customer made derogatory comments toward her. She responded by throwing a glass at his face, which led to him being banned from the bar . This man, Johnny, portrayed by Mike Harkins, returns in the latest episode with violent intent .
The attack occurs in the alley behind the Patch Cafe. Johnny approaches Ariana, beats her, uses offensive slurs, and rips her shirt open as he starts to unzip his pants . Ariana fights back, but he overpowers her. The assault is interrupted when her fiancé, Cooper, arrives at the alley. Cooper pulls Johnny off Ariana and proceeds to beat him severely in a fit of protective rage .
Ariana screams at Cooper during the beating, “You’re killing him… Don’t go to jail for this piece of s—, please. Don’t do that to me” .
Cooper eventually stops, and the two cling to each other. In a final act of defiance, after the attacker groans in pain, Ariana pulls away from Cooper and delivers a sharp kick to the man’s gut . The episode ends ominously, highlighting that the entire confrontation was captured on the cafe’s security camera, potentially putting Cooper in legal jeopardy for using excessive force .
Paulina Chávez’s Emotional Preparation for the Challenging Scene
In discussing the scene, Paulina Chávez was candid about its emotional impact. She stated that reading the script for the episode caused an immediate, visceral reaction .
“It’s a woman’s worst nightmare for that to happen,” Chávez said. “I remember reading this episode and immediately bawling my eyes out” .
Chávez explained her acting approach, trusting her training to access the required emotions in the moment rather than over-preparing. She described the ability to feel deeply as an actor’s “greatest superpower,” though she joked it sometimes made actors seem like “psychopaths.” For this scene, she aimed to be fully present and “allow myself to be fearful and live scared in that moment” .
The physical execution of the scene was carefully managed. Chávez praised the on-set intimacy coordinator and stunt coordinators for creating a safe environment. The cast rehearsed the stunts for a full week before filming. She also noted that actor Mike Harkins, who plays the attacker, was “a sweetheart in real life” and extremely respectful throughout the process .
Despite the rehearsals, the first full take was jarring. Chávez recalled that the first time her shirt was ripped during filming was “absolutely terrifying,” and she needed a moment to recover. The scene was filmed in sections—such as the punching, then the tackle—with breaks in between to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety .
The Impact of Racial Slurs and Drawing from Real Experience
A particularly difficult aspect of the scene for Chávez was the use of racial slurs by Johnny toward Ariana, who is often the only Mexican woman in the Patch Cafe . Chávez, whose parents are from Mexico, shared that hearing those terms, even in a scripted performance, made her blood boil. She used that feeling of rage to fuel her performance in the moment .
She connected this fictional portrayal to real-world observations, noting the uncomfortable stares she has sometimes felt while driving through smaller towns in Texas. While she has not personally been targeted with such language, she acknowledged the harsh reality it represents .
“Unfortunately, that is the reality of walking through this world… I really admire that we are creating art and telling these people’s stories, and that does come with harsh truths and realities,” Chávez stated .
How the Attack Will Affect Ariana and Cooper’s Future
The traumatic event is set to be a major turning point for Ariana and Cooper’s relationship. Just before the attack, their relationship was on an upswing after earlier tensions; Ariana had recently accepted Cooper’s marriage proposal . Chávez believes the shared trauma will fundamentally change their dynamic.
Despite the horror of the assault, Chávez does not believe it will define her character. She views Ariana as a “fighter” and predicts the incident will ultimately bring her closer to Cooper and his family . However, the couple now faces a new threat: potential legal consequences for Cooper’s violent retaliation, which was caught on video .
The security footage presents a serious problem. While defending Ariana from an active assault is legally justified, the footage shows Cooper continuing to beat Johnny long after he was incapacitated. This could lead to charges of excessive force or assault, setting up a major storyline for a potential third season.
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Other Major Events in Landman Season 2, Episode 9
Tommy Norris Fired by Cami
The episode also delivered a massive blow to the show’s lead character. Tommy Norris attends a lavish launch party in Louisiana for M-Tex’s new $400 million offshore drilling project. Tommy has always been opposed to the risky gamble, which has only a 10% chance of success. His open skepticism finally leads Cami, now running the company, to make a drastic decision .
During the party, Cami tells Tommy that she finally understands the “rush” her late husband Monty felt from such high-stakes risks. Tommy counters that his experience has taught him to avoid that rush at all costs. Cami concludes that the president of her company cannot be adverse to the very risk that built it. She tells him, “You’re fired,” and walks away, leaving Tommy stunned .
Ainsley’s Difficult Start to College
Meanwhile, Tommy’s ex-wife Angela is dealing with their daughter Ainsley’s first experience at college during a cheer camp at Texas Christian University (TCU). Ainsley’s troubles begin when she meets her assigned roommate for the fall, Paigyn, who uses they/them pronouns. Paigyn immediately establishes strict rules for their shared space, including no meat, no music, and scheduled meditation times, declaring the room their “safe space” .
Overwhelmed, Ainsley calls her mother. Angela intervenes, securing a medical waiver for Ainsley to live off-campus by claiming allergies. She then books Ainsley into a luxury hotel for the rest of camp, where Ainsley hosts the cheer squad for “margarita Marco Polo” at the rooftop pool, declaring, “This is what college should be like” .
A Minor Victory for T.L.
In a lighter subplot, T.L. (Mark Collie) continues his aquatherapy with Penny, whose real name is revealed to be Cheyenne. He shares a piece of wisdom with her that sums up the episode’s theme of grappling with life’s plans: “Life ain’t got a plan for you. You got to have the plan. Then you wrestle with life to make it come true” .
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