Goliath

:

Season 1
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 115
  3. Negative: 11 out of 115
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  1. orwellflash
    Oct 17, 2016
    9
    Critics will eat their words is my prediction. Give it a chance! Slick, glib, shallow??? That critic gave higher scores to The Grey and World War Z. Trust your own judgement.
  2. aydge89
    Oct 18, 2016
    10
    Great show. Has all the best ingredients - compelling plot, characters you can root for and plenty of humour. Really hope this gets a second season and the attention it deserves!
  3. bonhoff73
    Nov 7, 2016
    5
    A show that veers between the sublime and the ridiculous.The sublime is the ever watchable Thornton who brings his ageing slacker persona to the small screen but somehow remains believable with it.
    The bad- who wrote and directed this show? the script and direction are redolent of an afternoon tvm, and the great acting talent incorporated into the show takes turns to phone in their    A show that veers between the sublime and the ridiculous.The sublime is the ever watchable Thornton who brings his ageing slacker persona to the small screen but somehow remains believable with it.
    The bad- who wrote and directed this show? the script and direction are redolent of an afternoon tvm, and the great acting talent incorporated into the show takes turns to phone in their performances.
    whoever came up with the arch villain character played by William hurt needs to reassess their screenwriting skills.    … Expand
  4. imthenoob
    Jan 17, 2017
    10
    Makes me wonder what critics view as good TV now a days when it gets a 6.5 overall yet fans on sites like Amazon, Metacritic and IMBD give it well over an 8. Simpy put, It's a fantastic show. A little slow to start but that's only with the first episode. Once episode two starts, It's full throttle and it hasn't stopped. The cast is amazing, Especially Billy Bob Thornton. The story isMakes me wonder what critics view as good TV now a days when it gets a 6.5 overall yet fans on sites like Amazon, Metacritic and IMBD give it well over an 8. Simpy put, It's a fantastic show. A little slow to start but that's only with the first episode. Once episode two starts, It's full throttle and it hasn't stopped. The cast is amazing, Especially Billy Bob Thornton. The story is interesting and keeps you entertained and wanting to know what happens next. This is the first Prime show I watched and it's fantastic. Definitely gonna give the others a go.… Expand
  5. greyfoot
    Nov 2, 2016
    6
    I agree with Adspe completely--"disjointed and pretentious" is dead on.

    There were attempts at artistic flavor, but the photographers, the directors, and especially the writers simply weren't skilled enough to pull them off. They were trying for Stanley Kubrick in some scenes, but they ended up with Michael Bay. Especially annoying was William Hurt's character: a villain who could    I agree with Adspe completely--"disjointed and pretentious" is dead on.

    There were attempts at artistic flavor, but the photographers, the directors, and especially the writers simply weren't skilled enough to pull them off. They were trying for Stanley Kubrick in some scenes, but they ended up with Michael Bay.

    Especially annoying was William Hurt's character: a villain who could have been interesting but was merely rendered comical. The burn scars, the dark penthouse, the clicker--what was this, a Bond movie? Totally unnecessary. In Hurt's more than capable hands, he could have conveyed menace and evil beautifully, but all the schlock hindered him.

    Furthermore, the pacing was deplorable. Too many scenes that lasted WAY too long. Found myself screaming at the screen "Get on with it!"

    Too bad. There are some great elements--wonderful performances, a sense of realism, and a terrific moral center. But 'Goliath' was trying to do too many things at once, trying to be something that it wasn't. I'll give it a 6 myself just because of the performances (despite one of the best actor's performances being stifled by comic-book banality), but a great deal of the show failed. If there's a second season, let's hope it improves.    … Expand
  6. barbiwilliams
    Oct 30, 2016
    10
    Very well acted- suspenseful and beautifully scripted - We loved it- and can't wait until Season 2 in hopes their is a Season 2. we hope the same actors are in Season 2....
  7. Adspe
    Oct 16, 2016
    6
    This is a series that has everything, great actors, wonderful productions values, an interesting story.
    But the simple truth is it falls short.
    It is disjointed and pretentious. Big things happen for dramatic affect when a smaller event using a bit of finesse would of worked much better. The big failure was the writer, it is like they were trying to hard, wanting to tick every box. Not    This is a series that has everything, great actors, wonderful productions values, an interesting story.
    But the simple truth is it falls short.
    It is disjointed and pretentious. Big things happen for dramatic affect when a smaller event using a bit of finesse would of worked much better.
    The big failure was the writer, it is like they were trying to hard, wanting to tick every box.
    Not the worst TV you will watch. I have rated it 6, it should have been better and I wanted it to be better.
    But it is not. The production lacked finesse !    … Expand
  8. Kitkit1260
    Dec 5, 2016
    0
    Where to begin...this series is so corny and predictable, almost laughable! The edgy down and out superstar, the hooker with a heart of gold, the lecherous boss, the lesbian affair, the hungry young ingenue, the big bad corporation, sketchy priest, sketchier judge and attorneys!! It has it all! Billy Bob is phoning in this role, he is so flat there is no shadow. This is not technique, it'sWhere to begin...this series is so corny and predictable, almost laughable! The edgy down and out superstar, the hooker with a heart of gold, the lecherous boss, the lesbian affair, the hungry young ingenue, the big bad corporation, sketchy priest, sketchier judge and attorneys!! It has it all! Billy Bob is phoning in this role, he is so flat there is no shadow. This is not technique, it's boredom. To his underacting we have the over acting of everyone rise. I have no problem with the foul language, but here it's used to such a degree that it ruins the impact of the dialog. The attempts at artful filming fall flat like Billy Bob. The music? Awful.The dialog is amateurish. The whole thing just doesn't work. Good luck. I can't get through episode 5.… Expand
  9. jeremyp
    Oct 15, 2016
    6
    Slick, glib, shallow with Thornton doing "bad Lawyer" to the max. William Hurt as the evil incarnate head of a Walmart sized law firm with secret cameras everywhere is a laugh. Unbelievable! Too bad Michelle Pfeiffer didn't have a say.
  10. Idiota150
    Oct 20, 2016
    8
    Finally something good on "TV". There's probably something you can critize, but I enjoy it too much that it hasn't cross my mind. That was for the first 4 episodes. Having now watched the rest, I'd say the last 4 episodes could have been better ... from time to time I had an urge to fast forward or just play with the phone. Still a good show worth watching.
  11. HankDad
    Nov 26, 2016
    2
    Complete waste of time. Formulaic, slow moving, cliche' riddled...just **** awful really...after seeing good reviews I was compelled to warn others...a lot of these reviews have to be fake.
  12. jaasieljunior
    Dec 3, 2017
    9
    Goliath consegue te convencer do primeiro episódio ao último da primeira temporada.Alguns episódios de fato são melhores que alguns outros, mas o destaque aqui é o elenco que se encaixa perfeitamente em cada cena. Convencemo-nos no núcleo principal da história.
  13. truerock
    Feb 25, 2023
    9
    Casting, acting, directing, editing (especially sound editing), writing (especially the writing), cinematography - everything is good.

    Not really for people who watch reality TV shows or like lots of car chases.

    If you have never heard of High Noon or Rear Window - you will want to skip this please,
  14. EludiumQ36
    Jul 13, 2017
    9
    There are some small, forgiveable technical issues with the mini-series, but overall it's very good. Billy Bob isn't a favorite of mine but he plays his flawed-hero role naturally. William Hurt plays his despicable role very well too, and the supporting cast is largely great. The first season ends with the conclusion to the subject court case so that made for a good break point. SubsequentThere are some small, forgiveable technical issues with the mini-series, but overall it's very good. Billy Bob isn't a favorite of mine but he plays his flawed-hero role naturally. William Hurt plays his despicable role very well too, and the supporting cast is largely great. The first season ends with the conclusion to the subject court case so that made for a good break point. Subsequent seasons will be able to flesh out the complex backstories of the very interesting characters while still pursuing the fundamental mystery of the series. I hope Season 2 gets to us in a few months instead of another year.… Expand
  15. CocoaJackson
    Oct 21, 2016
    9
    One of the better TV series of 2016.

    I feel the last episode would have been unpalatable to most people, as many TV series in the last ten years have left people wondering what happens next. The 'cliffhanger' scenario has been getting old, and I didn't miss it in Goliath. So the ending worked for me. The only criticism was not recognizing one of the main protagonists faces, it was so    One of the better TV series of 2016.

    I feel the last episode would have been unpalatable to most people, as many TV series in the last ten years have left people wondering what happens next. The 'cliffhanger' scenario has been getting old, and I didn't miss it in Goliath. So the ending worked for me.

    The only criticism was not recognizing one of the main protagonists faces, it was so messed up in Goliath S01 E08.

    The challenge to the US Industrial Military Complex is certainly a tough sell to a public groomed on carefully curated patriotism over the last two decades. I can image many 'true believers' found the story line difficult to digest.

    I hope this format gets a reboot in a second series, as the actors, crew, and direction are a class team. They provided a great snapshot of the legal system mirroring life in one of the largest economies on earth, California, framed against the surreal beach culture in the City of Santa Monica.    … Expand
  16. wollam11
    Jun 28, 2017
    9
    One critic wrote, "It's a variation on David E. Kelley's earlier shows". He's absolutely right and that's a good thing when you consider some of the shows that Kelley has created! Boston Public, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope, Picket Fences, and L.A. Law are all Emmy and critical award winners many, many times over and deservedly so. THIS show can proudly stand right there withOne critic wrote, "It's a variation on David E. Kelley's earlier shows". He's absolutely right and that's a good thing when you consider some of the shows that Kelley has created! Boston Public, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope, Picket Fences, and L.A. Law are all Emmy and critical award winners many, many times over and deservedly so. THIS show can proudly stand right there with those shows. It's one of the best shows of 2016, period.… Expand
  17. Voodoo123
    Aug 1, 2018
    8
    Excellent cast glide through this slickly presented legal drama. With an above average screenplay, excellent soundtrack and superb 4k hdr presentation I was enthralled from the first episode. Downside for me was that the main story line is not the most original concept and some of Goliath's characters are a bit two dimensional to believe at times.
  18. RichardGonci
    Nov 2, 2016
    9
    When there is a fairly wide discrepancy between "critic" reviews and "user" reviews, I often find myself more in agreement with the users. That's the case here. While there is nearly universal consensus on the fine performances of Billy Bob Thornton and William Hurt, I think that the rest of the ensemble holds up very well indeed. And, even though there is an adolescent in a tertiary roleWhen there is a fairly wide discrepancy between "critic" reviews and "user" reviews, I often find myself more in agreement with the users. That's the case here. While there is nearly universal consensus on the fine performances of Billy Bob Thornton and William Hurt, I think that the rest of the ensemble holds up very well indeed. And, even though there is an adolescent in a tertiary role in this drama, he does not annoy me as do the peripheral youth characters in "The Americans" or "Madam Secretary." For the record, I have a 17 year-old son who is neither narcissistic nor stupid, so maybe my "bar" is unusually high! Anyway, this is also a very stylish production. There is lovely camera work which imparts a filmic viewing experience to each episode. Sound design is also very solid in this series, with audio FX standing in for a score much of the time. David Kelley creates shows for grownups. I, for one, am glad to have his work back in front of my eyeballs.… Expand
  19. royphishooh
    Jan 28, 2017
    8
    Superb drama with the usual outstanding performance from Billy Bob Thornton. Some less-than-solid acting at times from the supporting cast, especially the awful Nina Arianda. Someone should tell her that they have microphones on TV productions, she doesn't need to yell as much as she does on Broadway.
  20. ambientdrop
    Oct 29, 2016
    6
    This had all the makings of a really good show, but just fell short. Billy Bob is great as usual. William Hurt is good in the role of a comically evil lawyer. There are other shows I wish I would have watched before this, but you could do worse.
  21. JasonR
    Oct 15, 2016
    10
    It is a pretty decent show. Billy Bob Thornton and William Hurt are excellent, although William Hurt is essentially playing a campy supervillain in the show. If you enjoyed Damages, you will enjoy this show - although it has a lighter tone and is more humorous.
  22. globalhawk
    Nov 26, 2016
    5
    Great cast makes the most of a terrible script and poor direction. Thornton and his scrappy crew make the show watchable but the plot is ridiculous and pretentious, and the pace of many scenes too slow. The legal case is ludicrous and courtroom machinations are dumb or impossible even for the low standards of TV. Yet the show is still compelling due to excellent acting by Thornton and someGreat cast makes the most of a terrible script and poor direction. Thornton and his scrappy crew make the show watchable but the plot is ridiculous and pretentious, and the pace of many scenes too slow. The legal case is ludicrous and courtroom machinations are dumb or impossible even for the low standards of TV. Yet the show is still compelling due to excellent acting by Thornton and some interesting secondary characters. Lastly, it's a shame they wasted the talents of Wm Hurt on a shallow, cardboard, uninteresting villain.… Expand
  23. JorgeLestre
    Dec 3, 2016
    8
    Billy Bob Thornton is very compelling and the show certainly doesn't disappoint. It could have been better though but it is still one that is interesting enough to keep going for some seasons.
  24. Macguffinstv
    Jun 17, 2018
    9
    I think very highly of season 1. After watching season 2, even more so. Interesting and likeable characters who don't come without their own flaws, and also characters that you just love to hate, and can't wait for Billy Mcride to put them in their place. Much of it takes place in the courtroom, much like a show focusing on a lawyer should, and it doesn't take away from the pace orI think very highly of season 1. After watching season 2, even more so. Interesting and likeable characters who don't come without their own flaws, and also characters that you just love to hate, and can't wait for Billy Mcride to put them in their place. Much of it takes place in the courtroom, much like a show focusing on a lawyer should, and it doesn't take away from the pace or interesting aspects of it.

    I highly recommend season 1...season 2 not so much.    … Expand
  25. TheBraveFencer
    Jun 18, 2018
    5
    Season1 was a decent start to a procedural centered around lawyers, it took some interesting turns and the pacing was alright. Sadly it had small problems and Season2 just amplified those problems while getting rid of all the good stuff.

    The police corruption goes to mythological levels, seemingly everywhere all at once and completely unstoppable. Then the cartel gets mythological    Season1 was a decent start to a procedural centered around lawyers, it took some interesting turns and the pacing was alright. Sadly it had small problems and Season2 just amplified those problems while getting rid of all the good stuff.

    The police corruption goes to mythological levels, seemingly everywhere all at once and completely unstoppable. Then the cartel gets mythological powers too, with an unstoppable skinny guy that has a hook-hand. He's just some skinny dude, but there he is beating everyone like he's friggin' Conan The Barbarian.

    The pacing is all over the place, characters are all one-dimensional and seem to be okay when all of their witnesses get killed by ̶o̶l̶y̶m̶p̶u̶s̶ corrupt police. Oh so the kid just broke out of solitary confinement, made his police caretaker disappear, and scrawled out that he was the killer on a blackboard.....the cops reaction to this: IT MAKES SENSE. WHAT?!?!?!?! That is atrocious writing.

    Anyway, this is where I drop the series for good. 2 years spent in-between seasons and this is what we get...lol.    … Expand
  26. WorldofLucky
    Feb 3, 2018
    8
    A good law procedural with my favorite subject… defense contractors. It lives up to the theme, David vs Goliath.

    Billy Bob Thornton is back in this series as a washed up high powered lawyer. Once one of the leading lawyers in a large law firm that he helped create, he now drinks his troubles away and barely gets by. He picks up an accidental death case that reeks of fraud and conspiracy    A good law procedural with my favorite subject… defense contractors. It lives up to the theme, David vs Goliath.

    Billy Bob Thornton is back in this series as a washed up high powered lawyer. Once one of the leading lawyers in a large law firm that he helped create, he now drinks his troubles away and barely gets by. He picks up an accidental death case that reeks of fraud and conspiracy against a defense contractor.

    The story is very well written and I think they did the right thing by running it only as an 8 episode season. It gave it enough time to tell a good story, but not drone on too far.

    There was definitely a couple of “oh **** moments, as it has action as well as legalese. In fact I would say it goes more with a layman’s view then trying to portray the intricacy of the law. It does this to great effect, keeping you interested.

    Pros: Good acting, the story is kept short enough to be interesting without going too far.

    Cons: The character Brittany Gold, I hate the prostitute who can’t get her life together trope, the actress herself is fine.

    I recommend it.    … Expand
  27. StavNeuse
    Jul 2, 2018
    5
    Billy Bob Thorton is always good, the problem lies with the antagonist. An old man with a burned face who is an intelligent lawyer, it just seemed so far-fetched. It has all been done before, but nonetheless, it was entertaining.
  28. lostinthought46
    Jun 20, 2018
    0
    Season I was good enough to warrant an investment in season II or so I thought. Season two was a cluster f--k, replete with salacious characters and plot lines . The writers seem to have dug deep in the recesses of some pornographer's mind to find their ideas. Poor Billy deserved better.
  29. newtoreview
    Jun 29, 2018
    1
    Season one was ok watching Billy's hair change was fun, season two was time in my life I will never get back. It made no sense at all one show seemed to be from a different series?
  30. geewah
    Dec 15, 2020
    8
    Even though this show does follow some well worn tropes, it gets by on good writing and the presence of Billy Bob Thornton.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
93
#93 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Nov 7, 2016
    83
    In “Fargo,” Thornton’s character was pure evil, but in Goliath he's just flawed--despicable at times, but with a good heart that shows often as he pursues justice against his old law firm and partner. This one’s quite bingeworthy.
    Read full review
  2. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Oct 20, 2016
    80
    The show has the kind of jaunty professionalism of a John Grisham novel, in which an outmatched lawyer takes on a, yes, goliath, and usually wins at great personal expense.
    Read full review
  3. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Oct 17, 2016
    70
    Kelley and Shapiro are a little too in love with their quirks to create a show that doesn’t occasionally tip over into unearned melodrama and/or Gothic horror, and the series’ understanding of lesbian relationships, in particular, is straight out of 1992. But at its core, where it counts, Goliath does more good than bad.
    Read full review
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