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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User Reviews

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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. 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
  4. 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....
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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,
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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.
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  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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