A disgraced lawyer, now an ambulance chaser, gets a case that could bring him redemption or at least revenge on the firm which expelled him.A disgraced lawyer, now an ambulance chaser, gets a case that could bring him redemption or at least revenge on the firm which expelled him.A disgraced lawyer, now an ambulance chaser, gets a case that could bring him redemption or at least revenge on the firm which expelled him.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 win & 11 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Goliath' is acclaimed for its strong performances, particularly Billy Bob Thornton's, and compelling themes. Season 1 is highly praised, while Season 2's darker themes and complex characters received mixed feedback. Season 3's unique approach divided opinions, and Season 4's conclusion was met with both positive and negative reactions. The series is generally commended for its acting and themes, though later seasons faced criticism for diverging from the original formula.
Featured reviews
10Tactrix
First let me say that billy bob was built for this role. Picking him was the obvious choice because there is almost no one that can play a washed up brilliant drunk the way he can.
Now as for the actual series. We have Billy, who's a retired defense attorney thrown back in law after he gets tossed a case about a guy on a boat that blew up. At first it just sounds like a regular case, and then it quickly becomes apparent that there's a lot wrong with it. The long and short of it is that this series is layered perfectly, you never see what's coming because they scripted it in a way in which you don't get to see around the bends.
10/10 great acting, great directing, and an amazing script.
Now as for the actual series. We have Billy, who's a retired defense attorney thrown back in law after he gets tossed a case about a guy on a boat that blew up. At first it just sounds like a regular case, and then it quickly becomes apparent that there's a lot wrong with it. The long and short of it is that this series is layered perfectly, you never see what's coming because they scripted it in a way in which you don't get to see around the bends.
10/10 great acting, great directing, and an amazing script.
Goliath is a pretty solid legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout every season. As always, Billy Bob Thornton was terrific. He has proven time and time again to be a very good actor and this actually might be his best role of his career. Well, at least one of them anyways. Each episode ends leaving you wanting more. There are plenty of twists and turns during each season and they all pay off in the end. This series isn't anything that's not been done before, this show just does it little better. If you're into legal dramas and haven't seen this yet then I definitely would recommend giving this a chance. You won't be disappointed.
Amazon smartly released all 8 episodes of Goliath so you could binge and follow the full arc of the story in a continuous setting. Goliath doesn't bury the lead by making you watch 7 episodes before stuff happens. Crucial elements of the story are revealed quickly and consistently and still it goes a full 8 episodes. Billy Bob Thornton just absolutely crushes it with his unique voice. Combined with Nina Arianda, it may have the best acting on TV that seems to never get noticed.
Meanwhile Apple continues to water-board viewers as it slow rolls its shows, with one episode at a time making you forget the reason you watched the first 2 episodes of any of their shows in the first place. They have ruined Ted Lasso and pretty much every other show in this way. I mention this b/c Apple put out several shows at the same time Goliath was released, including Foundation, See, and Ted Lasso. Goliath's full season was more satisying than all 3 of those shows combined.
Meanwhile Apple continues to water-board viewers as it slow rolls its shows, with one episode at a time making you forget the reason you watched the first 2 episodes of any of their shows in the first place. They have ruined Ted Lasso and pretty much every other show in this way. I mention this b/c Apple put out several shows at the same time Goliath was released, including Foundation, See, and Ted Lasso. Goliath's full season was more satisying than all 3 of those shows combined.
I'm not into courtroom dramas, & I don't have a particular interest in procedurals of any stripe. I did find "Goliath" to be very involving and entertaining. There are some clichéd tropes, as there are to some extent in ALL narrative fiction: the wastrel who has squandered his position of privilege and is handed the means to his own retribution, the big bad corporation pitted against the little guy, the 11th hour testimony to save the day for the plucky litigants...these contrivances in no way detract from what is at heart a good story with vivid, lifelike characters who suffer real consequences. There are a few "types", characters who fulfill a narrative function, but if you're THAT hung up on purity, screw it; you shouldn't be watching television, you should be writing stories and making your own truthful narratives. This is quality entertainment, and easily the best thing I've watched recently. Billy Bob Thornton is perfect, the supporting cast is top- notch, and while it does follow some genre formulae...it's artfully rendered GENRE, people. I suspect that the person complaining that it wasn't up to the standards of Chandler or Connelly (WTF?) suffers from ODC and likes having the last word in any discussion, whether it's regarding crime fiction or upholstery. I found it very entertaining.
Goliath was such a good show. I'm actually mad at myself for putting it off for so long and just now watching it. I just finished season one and can't wait for the next three. If they're half as good as this first season I'll be satisfied. Billy Bob Thornton was perfect for this role. It's about a once powerful lawyer named Billy McBride (Thornton) who's now an ambulance chaser and a drunk. He takes a wrongful death lawsuit against his old firm which he helped create. He's then in a life or death trial against his old firm who he wants revenge against and the conspiracy behind it. I couldn't get enough of this and binged it as quickly as I could.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBoth the Ocean Lodge Hotel (where Billy lives) and the Chez Jay bar (where Billy drinks) are real places in Santa Monica, California. The interior of Chez Jay, however, was too small to accommodate a cast and camera crew, so an expanded version was replicated on a studio soundstage. Chez Jay was only used for the exteriors.
- GoofsThe leg amputee at the end of episode 2.03 has her right leg amputated; at the beginning of episode 2.04 it is her left leg.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Billy Bob Thornton/Kristin Chenoweth/Ryan Donahue (2016)
- SoundtracksAin't No Love in the Heart of the City
(uncredited)
Performed by Bobby "Blue" Band
- How many seasons does Goliath have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Trial
- Filming locations
- Chez Jay - 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, California, USA(the dive bar where Billy drinks)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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