The latest episode of Landman has sparked a fierce online debate, with fans applauding the Paramount+ drama for what they claim is a rare moment of Hollywood “pushing back” against modern identity politics.
The neo-Western series, created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, has become one of Paramount+’s biggest hits since its launch in November 2024, praised for its gritty portrayal of the West Texas oil boom and Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as oil negotiator Tommy Norris.
However, it is a scene involving Tommy’s daughter Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph, that has gone viral following the release of season two, episode nine.
In the episode, which aired on January 11, Ainsley arrived at Texas Christian University and meets her new roommate, Paigyn, a sports medicine student from Minneapolis who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns.
Bobbi Salvör Menuez plays Paigyn in Landman
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Paramount+ Landman
The exchange quickly became tense as Paigyn laid out strict “safe space” rules for the dorm room, including banning music, enforcing a vegan-only environment, and allowing a pet ferret to roam freely.
When the topic of pronouns arose, Ainsley bluntly questioned the logic of using plural pronouns for a single person.
“I always wondered why they/them? Because there’s just one of you and those are plural pronouns,” she said.
She went on to argue that pronouns are typically used in the third person, meaning the individual being referenced would not even be present to hear them.
Ainsley is played by Michelle Randolph
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Paramount+ Landman
Ainsley then added: “So if you do, I’m probably not there… so why would it matter?” she adds.
The moment has divided viewers, with critics accusing the show of leaning into stereotypes and mocking progressive campus culture, while supporters hailed it as refreshingly honest.
The scene gained further traction after political commentator Ben Loudon shared the clip on X, captioning it: “BREAKING: Paramount’s Landman is going viral for having a pretty blonde actress politely school a liberal character on ‘they/them’ pronouns. Is wokeism beginning to lose control of Hollywood?”
The post was met with hordes of approving responses.
🚨BREAKING: Paramount’s Landman is going viral for having a pretty blonde actress politely school a liberal character on “they/them” pronouns.
Is wokeism beginning to lose control of Hollywood?
Follow: @BoLoudon pic.twitter.com/x0iUFqCIlK
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) January 12, 2026
“Now they’re trolling pronouns. LOVE IT!!” one X user wrote, while another suggested: “It’s because the show is made by Taylor Sheridan and features Billy Bob Thornton and Sam Elliott. The show has cowboy conservative in its blood.”
Others praised the series more broadly. One comment read: “Landman is such a great show in general. This makes it 10x better,” while another user penned: “One of the best episodes of the year.”
Some viewers also questioned the increasing inclusion of pronoun discussions in scripted television, with one writing: “Why do they always have to use pronouns in shows? Who cares?”
“Wokeism is losing control!” declared another X user.
Following the confrontation, Ainsley attempted to change dorm rooms, arguing that the “safe space” only caters to her roommate’s needs.
However, Ainsley’s exchange with her guidance counsellor, to whom she submitted her room-change request, also fueled online reaction.
During the meeting, Ainsley complained that her roommate’s demands left no room for her to express herself, pointing again to the pronoun issue and the imbalance of comfort.
“I don’t care what someone’s pronouns are,” Ainsley said, before adding: “Using a plural pronoun for some person is kind of incorrect.”
When challenged by the counsellor, she argued that while her roommate is dictating what makes them feel comfortable, “they’re not asking what I need to feel comfortable”.
A scene between Ainsley and her guidance counsellor also went viral online
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Paramount+ Landman
The counsellor ultimately dismissed the dispute as Ainsley’s responsibility, urging her to “assert yourself” and “start acting like the adult your driver’s license says you are”.
When her complaint is dismissed as “childish” by a university administrator, her mother Angela, played by Ali Larter, stepped in, securing her a temporary hotel suite under a medical exemption.
While the scene drew praise from conservative viewers, critics have accused the show of lazy writing, arguing the roommate character was designed as a caricature to provoke backlash rather than genuine discussion.
The moment also reignited criticism of the series’ portrayal of women, which some reviewers have described as one-dimensional or overly sexualised.
