Conviction Review: Pilot (Season 1 Episode 1)
If you’re a Marvel fan, then you already know who Hayley Atwell is and what she’s capable of. Conviction, however, changes the game and allows viewers to see a different side of Atwell with the pilot episode.
The only problem being: is this side of Atwell going to be as well loved?
Hayes Morrison, Hayley Atwell, is a former First Daughter who has been given a second chance after being put in a jail cell for possession of cocaine. She’s provocative, dangerous, and very blunt. I like it.
Her punishment for the cocaine and sleeping with multiple students is leading the CIU (Conviction Integrity Unit).
Personally, I think the pilot is satisfying, but it did feel like it is missing something.
The chemistry between D.A. Conner Wallace, Eddie Cahill, and Hayes Morrison is something that hooked me at the beginning of the episode. It’s clear that they have some past and it isn’t exactly smooth sailing.
Morrison and her tactics to be fired from the CIU intrigue me, but that isn’t what kept me from changing the channel. The crew of the CIU and how they interact with Morrison is what hooked me to continue watching.
Maxine Bohen, Merrin Dungey, is a confident woman who knows what she’s doing — she isn’t here to make friends or play nice. She has joined the CIU, by choice, to be a voice for all the good police officers out there who need it during a time where police officers are looked down upon, mocked, and vilified due to social media.
You can tell that she tries with all of her might to prove that the ruling was just and fair, and at the same time, she also has her eyes opened to just how corrupt things can be behind closed doors.
Nothing is ever truly what it seems.
The relationship between Hayes and her mother is very rocky, of course, due to complications in the past. I’m very curious to know what other ultimatum she was given to have such hatred towards her mother.
Also, this show is set during the 21st century, but her mother mentions that Oprah is dying to have her on her show? The Oprah Winfrey Show ended in 2011.
Overall, the pilot was strong enough to keep my attention, but if it’s going to be a new case every single week they’re going to have to pick up the pace if they want viewers to keep coming back.
Other thoughts:
- Who is Frankie, Manny Montana, holding hands with during that prison visit? Maybe a boyfriend he acquired while in prison?
- Tess, Emily Kinney, has a secret that she is hoping nobody will find out, but Hayes isn’t just anybody. Tess is connected to a case that was thrown out due to lack of evidence. Tess’ aunt was murdered, but the guy who Tess testified against is proven innocent and released from jail.
- There isn’t enough of Jackson Morrison, Daniel Franzese, in this episode. He knows how to bring the humor and the sass, so I hope we get to see him more in future episodes.
What did you think of this episode of Conviction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Conviction airs Monday at 10/9c on ABC.
Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.