Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Goliath’ Season 4 On Amazon, The Final Season Of The Billy Bob Thornton Legal Drama

Amazon original Goliath tells the story of Billy McBride (Billy Bob Thornton), a once-washed up lawyer who suddenly finds a passion for the law again after a big case gets personal. Over the last three seasons of the legal drama, we’ve seen Billy go up against Big Oil, the cartel, and some seriously insidious water thieves… and now, in the final season of the series, he’s finally going head-to-head with Big Pharma. 

GOLIATH SEASON 4: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

Opening Shot: A reporter named Mark Schafer discusses the opioid epidemic on his show Column One.

The Gist: Goliath Season 4 picks up shortly after the end of Season 3; Billy (Billy Bob Thornton) is still recovering from his gunshot wound, and Patty (Nina Arianda) is working at cushy San Francisco law firm Margolis & True. Patty brings Billy into the fold at the firm after partner Tom True goes missing in the midst of building a massive lawsuit against a group of companies responsible for helping perpetuate the opioid epidemic. No one can quite wrap their heads around why Tom might have walked away from this case, as it’s extremely personal to him – his young daughter passed away after overdosing on opioids.

While Billy adjusts to his new home and new job, he continues to process the trauma of the shooting and has dreams about his daughter Denise (Diana Hopper). He’s not well, to say the least, but he is intrigued by the showy pharmaceutical executive they’re going up against (J.K. Simmons) and why no one seems to have a real explanation for Tom’s disappearance. As Billy prepares to take the lead on this big case, he realizes that there might be much more to the story – and he’s not the only one who’s interested.

What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Goliath has a unique commitment to jumping the shark at random opportunities, but it may bring to mind series like Sneaky Pete, Bosch, Burden of Truth, and even Suits and Damages at times.

Our Take: Goliath has been such a mixed bag these past few years; the first season came out of the gate strong (if a little weird), building a very distinct world in Los Angeles and coloring its characters with interesting little details. Season 2 was entertaining, but failed to capture the magic of Season 1, and Season 3 went a little off the rails, though the show has remained undeniably watchable throughout. In Season 4, Goliath is fully embracing the signature weirdness it has given us over these three seasons, delving a little deeper into Billy’s psyche and the impact all the trauma he’s experienced the last few years has had on him. (It’s not an amputee fetishist or whatever was happening with William Hurt in Season 1, but y’know, it’s still wacky). It’s a bold move, given what the show has done thus far, but it works, especially for its final season. These big swings might not always pack the punch they’re hoping for, but it’s hard to fault a show brave enough to make these kinds of moves.

The first installment of Season 4 reviewed here, “Hadleyville”, gives us just enough to pique our interest for the rest of the season, introducing us to the impending battle against Big Pharma and who the major players might be. Patty, still reeling from the events of last season, is fighting her own battles, a war we’re likely to see play out later. There’s also the mysterious nature of Billy’s new digs and his watchful neighbor (Bruce Dern), someone who might be ignored if not portrayed by such an iconic character actor. Between the strange phone calls and looks from his neighbor, a bizarre street encounter, and the truth that might be lying in Tom True’s deposition tapes and other notes, Billy is in for a helluva ride this season.

Sex and Skin: None.

Parting Shot: Billy is tailed by a slow-moving car as he walks home.

Sleeper Star: Jena Malone, perhaps best known for flicks like Donnie Darko, The Hunger Games, and The Neon Demon, is a welcome addition to the cast, injecting Samantha Margolis with her signature dry wit and charm. She’s an incredibly consistent and exciting performer, someone who brings something interesting to every project she takes on. Though she doesn’t get a ton to do in this first installment of Season 4, she easily holds her own opposite Thornton during their first encounter, and this banter and the determination she displays later in the episode are just a taste of the excitement to come this season.

Most Pilot-y Line: There aren’t any particularly pilot-y lines in “Hadleyville” (as Goliath has had three seasons now to dump exposition on us), though Billy’s little jab at Patty before they walk into the office is memorable: “Traveling kinda light these days. Just going with the emotional baggage?”

Our Call: STREAM IT. Goliath is typically a bit of a mixed bag, thanks to Thornton’s consistent performance and the addition of heavy hitters like J.K. Simmons and Bruce Dern, it’s more than worth your while.

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines, hogging the mic at karaoke, and thirst-tweeting. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.

Stream Goliath on Amazon Prime Video