Goliath

Who doesn't love a good Goliath story? Amazon Prime knocks this 4-season show out of the park. No spoilers here. Just praise.

Thornton plays a softspoken but talented attorney (coincidently named Billy) that can tackle large civil lawsuits. He stumbles upon situations that demand investigation, from cartels to billionaires to Big Pharma. His partner ends up being a spunky and energetic blonde that ends up learning so much from him that she becomes a partner in a large firm. She compliments his at-ease personality well. Opposites fighting battles.

Refreshingly, he does not turn a blind eye to legitimate evil even if his life is put in danger in Goliath fashion. Of course, Goliath can't be perfect. He struggles with chronic and functioning alcoholism. The addiction wreaks havoc with his close relationships, including his college-aged daughter, and might have contributed to his divorce. His daughter tries desperately to police his behavior. But on he goes aware of alcohols' effect on himself and others. Somehow, he is able to fight large complex litigation like a cockroach. The show almost gives him a supernatural ability to sniff out evil and habitually appear for court, albeit a mess sometimes. Probably like a lot of real-life heroes.

No one intimidates him. He boldly talks to judges and even cusses in court. Bold for sure. But he is constantly up against people with more money and resources than him. Tempting to get frustrated over stuff like that especially because those kinds of people can play games and spin the truth. It is not admirable to be obsessed with winning and money. Goliath must fight the tendencies to cut corners himself.

I admire the imperfection. He fights imperfect people filled with their own demons that makes his seem small. The point is that imperfect people can still accomplish admirable things. Obviously, the show does not promote addiction in any way. It would certainly be easier to accomplish legit big things with a sober mind. No distractions, depression, anxiety, etc. But it sort of permeates his being in the background while he drudges on like it is permanently attached to him. He is almost too aware of the worlds' issues around him including his own.

His kindness is also touching. He calls females "honey" based on his upbringing. Might be weird for some but works for him. He is a ladies' man too. Awareness of his issues makes him patient and kind such as hiring one of his former clients with a prostitution background. One of the big focuses of the show is that Billy has an arch nemesis that naturally gets under his skin, but he continues to fight the actual evil rather than an annoying lingering narcissist. The narcissist embodies his role well: he is ugly internally and externally, oblivious to his grotesqueness. He tries to throw Billy off at every turn and sides with his enemies.

Goliath would not be so likeable if he was not kind, right? Goliath must be worth rooting for.

Another lesson there: Focus on the actual issue at hand rather than annoying distractions. Sure, it is an easy error to make. It is easy to get side-tracked and obsessed with fighting people that we do not like such as bosses, family members, when we are really fighting bigger issues, like ourselves, chronic personal issues, views on life. Thornton would have lost track of fighting cases and obtaining verdicts for deserving clients if he had lost his way (or even let his personal issues get in the way).

I am trying to remember this as I focus on battles I care about rather than pesky people that will always exist.