Andy Garcia as Gallino has captured the audience’s attention in Landman season 2, episode 3, taking the already complex relationship between crime and business deeper as the suave Cuban–American kingpin returns to face off with Tommy Norris on new terms. The third episode, set predominantly at the Cattleman’s Club, reveals the lengths Gallino will go to infiltrate M-Tex Oil, even as his charismatic, layered presence leaves viewers conflicted over which side to root for.
Gallino’s Escape and Entry Into Season 2
Gallino’s return is marked by a dramatic intervention; in the previous season finale, his surprising rescue of Tommy Norris from cartel violence instantly redefined alliances. As the head of M-Tex Oil, Tommy had been taken hostage and brutalized by Jimenez, portrayed by Alex Meraz, but was saved when Gallino had the cartel eliminated and personally freed Tommy.
After that pivotal moment, Tommy refused Gallino’s invitation for friendship, instantly suspicious of the drug kingpin’s motives. Yet Gallino didn’t retreat. Instead, he began exerting influence over M-Tex by becoming the silent partner and unseen backer of Cooper Norris—Tommy’s son, adding another layer of complexity to the Norris family’s saga and shifting M-Tex’s power dynamics.
It is in this episode that Tommy learns the true extent of Gallino’s double life—he is also Danny Morrell, a respected face who heads the investment firm Sonrisa and appears embedded in elite business circles under this alternate identity.
The Allure of Andy Garcia’s Gallino
Even though Tommy Norris remains firm in his distrust of Gallino, the audience is left to grapple with an uncomfortable truth: Garcia’s portrayal makes the villain captivating. The first clues to Gallino’s multifaceted personality surfaced during his rescue of Tommy, but his role as Danny Morrell deepens the ambiguity, with the character now using polish and business acumen to win people’s favor and mask his darker intentions.
During a pivotal encounter at the Cattleman’s Club, Gallino reveals his public identity and effortlessly commands authority as either a club founder or key partner, drawing respect from staff and visitors alike. In the process, he and his wife, Bella Morrell, played by Stefania Spampinato, charm Tommy’s ex-wife Angela, portrayed by Ali Larter, as well as Cami Miller, Monty Miller’s widow (Demi Moore). Whether genuine or calculated, Gallino and Bella’s charisma is undeniably persuasive, blurring the line between criminal intent and social acceptance.
Garcia’s role as Gallino draws on elements from his earlier performances as Vincent Mancini Corleone in The Godfather Part III and Terry Benedict in Ocean’s Eleven. Landman leverages Garcia’s past portrayals of sophisticated, unpredictable underworld figures to offer a character with both surface appeal and a menacing undertone. Gallino, as Danny Morrell, feels like a natural next step in Garcia’s long-standing screen persona—a cultivated gentleman gangster with a dangerous reputation.
Gallino’s Grip on Tommy and Cami Miller Grows
In the Cattleman’s Club, Gallino’s calculated observations of Tommy and Cami make it clear that he is always a few steps ahead. Although Tommy remains wary of Gallino’s overtures and routinely dismisses Danny Morrell’s supposedly friendly advances, Gallino demonstrates his adaptability by shifting his attention and charm elsewhere within M-Tex.
A crucial element in Gallino’s strategy comes into play when Bella Morrell, his wife, helps Cami feel at ease, establishing a rapport that makes Danny Morrell’s business offers appear genuine. Since Tommy has not disclosed Gallino’s criminal identity to Cami, she sees Danny as nothing more than a resourceful investor at a time when M-Tex faces financial chaos due to Monty Miller’s—portrayed by Jon Hamm—hidden crimes.
Gallino’s real goal seems to be direct, personal negotiation with Tommy, but by masterfully inserting himself into M-Tex’s crisis through Cami, he strengthens his position. In Cami’s eyes, faced with the company’s potential collapse, Gallino may even be the answer she is seeking, complicating Tommy’s efforts to keep both his family and business intact.
Despite his clear role as the antagonist, Andy Garcia instills Gallino with enough allure and nuance that even viewers find themselves drawn to the character’s presence. As the story develops, audiences might find their loyalties tested; Gallino’s impact may not only disrupt Tommy’s world but also sway public sentiment in his favor—leaving the fate of M-Tex and the loyalties of its major players in question.
The Impact of Andy Garcia as Gallino on Landman’s Storyline
Andy Garcia’s interpretation of Gallino as both a dignified public figure and an underworld kingpin brings a magnetic complexity to Landman season 2. By tapping into familiar traits from his celebrated roles, Garcia provides viewers with a villain who is as intriguing as he is dangerous, driving the narrative tension higher with every appearance.
With characters like Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, and Cami Miller now caught in Gallino’s web, the series explores how charm and subterfuge can shift alliances and redefine the boundaries between heroes and villains. As Gallino continues to consolidate his influence under the guise of Danny Morrell, the future of M-Tex, and the fate of its leaders, remains precarious and compelling for both audiences and the players involved.
