How Ariana Feels After Cooper’s Fate Reveal In Landman Episode 6 Explained By Star

Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Landman episodes 1-6.Paulina Chavez, who plays Ariana in Landman, talks about how her character feels about Cooper being put in the hospital by her in-laws. In the Taylor Sheridan show about the oil industry, Ariana’s husband died along with two other family members and crew in the series-opening incident, of which Cooper is the sole survivor. Filled with survivor’s guilt, Cooper helps Ariana out. However, their unusual bond attracts unwanted attention from Ariana’s in-law, Manuel, who takes Antonio and their friends to ambush Cooper.

Chavez opened up to ScreenRant about Ariana’s reaction when she finds out what her in-laws have done to Cooper. The actor explained that Ariana’s first reaction would be “anger” because she feels responsible for what happened, especially after kissing Cooper to make a point to Manuel, and seeing Cooper covered in bruises is “kind of scary” and shocking, given that she knows those responsible. Check out what she said below:

I think the first thought was just anger. Anger at Manuel and the people that did this to him, but also I really do believe she really believes it was her fault. She was the one that kissed him, and that probably wasn’t the right choice, but it was to prove a point that, “You’re not going to tell me what I can and cannot do.”

And seeing Jacob covered in the bruises, I mean, the way it looks on camera, the way you guys see it, it looked so bad, he looked terrible. And it’s kind of scary to to see that, and to know like, “Wow, my dead husband’s cousins did this to this poor dude that, like, my husband loved.” He and Cooper, they had a bond, they were great. It was fun. Obviously, they had talked about being The Worm on the crew, so, yeah, it was just like, “Wow, I cannot believe they did that to him.”

Ariana Is At The Center Of The Cooper’s Incident

Chavez’s comment offers some insight into the inner journey Ariana is going through. Earlier in the season, Ariana confronts Manuel after he repeatedly takes issue with Cooper helping her. She makes a point to Manuel about his unwillingness to help her at a time of need, meaning to keep him from minding her business. However, seeing what happened to Cooper is both a shock and a wake-up call. Chavez’s comment also suggests that the hospital scene has a profound emotional impact on Ariana in Landman, which will also affect her already complicated relationship with Cooper.

In another interview, Cooper’s actor Jacob Loftland gave some insight into Ariana’s on-screen relationship with Cooper, explaining that at its core, the two are “trauma bonding.” The actor believed that Cooper was being too nice with Manuel, and there was also the factor that “he’s drawn to her” while trying to “get away with it,” which puts him in a bad position. Chavez’s comment about Ariana feeling responsible for what happened echoes Loftland’s comment about what’s going on between the two.

Our Take On That Cooper Incident In Landman

It’ll Change Things

Ariana is hurting after her husband’s death. Being a widow and a single mother with a newborn but no one to help leaves her in a vulnerable position. She has no one to turn to, and Cooper is the only person there. Meanwhile, Manuel, having lost a close family member, is in pain as well, and Cooper has made himself a target by being close to Ariana and working on his crew. The drama between Cooper and Ariana in Landman explores the different effects grief has on people.

On the other hand, Ariana and Ainsley’s encounter at the hospital gives some clear clues about where Ariana stands on her bond with Cooper. There’s clearly something there, with Ariana feeling unease about Ainsley’s presence before learning she’s Cooper’s sister. She also struggles to explain who she is to Cooper, where “friend” seems to be the most obvious answer. However, with Tommy Norris giving Cooper a talk about Ariana, Landman episode 6 leaves their relationship on an ambiguous note.