Conviction Review: Bad Deals (Season 1 Episode 8)

Conviction Season 1 Episode 8, “Bad Deals,” doesn’t do a superb job of making viewers feel sympathetic for Sam, even when it’s so obvious that’s what it’s trying to do.

There are only three episodes left in this season and to start rounding up storylines Conviction is going to have to pick it up. We’ve gotten nowhere with Tess confronting Matty, nowhere with the status of Frankie and Rey’s relationship, and now Maxine is using again.

Pulling out an old case where Sam was the prosecutor should be a good way to get some character progression, but sadly that doesn’t happen. Sam is as hard as ever and refuses to believe that he is wrong until the very end.

Sam is always such a know-it-all who acts above everyone else, and it’s annoying.

His character is the only one that viewers haven’t gotten an actual connection with, and it’s sad because Shawn Ashmore is such a talented actor. Sam could be more than the hard-ass type who only cares about himself, but I don’t see that changing until the end of the season.

Let’s not forget that Sam is also the one who pushes Maxine into using again. It isn’t all because of him but he plays a major factor, and I’m not sure I can truly like his character after that. Sam isn’t a great co-worker to the others of the CIU. And, trying to figure out the case by himself almost gets him killed.

Wallace using Hayes for his personal gain, yet again, is not a good way to get past the issues between the both of them, but that’s what he does. Just when I think they are honestly starting to get somewhere, he pulls this.

The tension between Wallace, Hayes, and Naomi is quite refreshing. I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, but it puts a good spin on Hayes and Wallace’s relationship.

Hayes ending up in a relationship isn’t a necessary thing because she’s a strong, confident, and beautiful woman. But, it is fun to try and figure out what will happen between the three as the season finale draws closer. Hayes has a history with the both of them, but I have a feeling that Wallace will finally step up and they’ll be together again.

I want to see Maxine tackle this drug problem head on. I want someone in the CIU to catch her in the act and confront her about it. The CIU has become more bonded with one another, besides Sam, so I think that would make for a good episode. All of them coming together to give her an intervention.

Of course, Hayes involved with the intervention might throw some unnecessary drama in there, but Hayes hasn’t been doing drugs since she became truly invested in the CIU.

This episode is not the best, but I have high hopes that this season will end on a high note.

Other Thoughts:

1. Hayes Morrison has now become one of my favorite characters. I believe that she truly is a well-rounded character who has gotten the development that she deserves.
2. Waiting for Tess and Frankie’s relationships to play out is pure torture. I need to see Tess break down and explain everything to Matty. I need him to get the truth that he deserves. And as much as I don’t particularly like Rey, I want to see Frankie define the relationship. I want to see Frankie put himself first. Rey is still in prison, and Frankie shouldn’t have to wait on him when he’s not getting out for a long time. Frankie deserves happiness.
3. There better be more Jackson Morrison in these last three episodes because we have not gotten nearly enough of him.

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.

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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.