Conviction (2016)

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 3, 2016
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 61
  3. Negative: 18 out of 61
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. JennetP
    Oct 4, 2016
    5
    This show is all over the place. Take the writing: one moment fresh and clever, the next a pile-up of clumsy exposition and pop-psychological cliches. The impression is of a writer's room staffed by one prodigy from the Iowa Writer's Workshop and a half-dozen "party school" dropouts who managed to fail their "cake" courses because they could not bear to leave their television sets. TheThis show is all over the place. Take the writing: one moment fresh and clever, the next a pile-up of clumsy exposition and pop-psychological cliches. The impression is of a writer's room staffed by one prodigy from the Iowa Writer's Workshop and a half-dozen "party school" dropouts who managed to fail their "cake" courses because they could not bear to leave their television sets. The premise--wayward celebrity genius helms Innocence Project wannabe--is great but mired in the melodramatic back-stories of everyone on (or involved with) the legal team. So there's not much airtime left for cases, which means they have to be simple and straightforward, so cue another round of cliches. Yes, Hayley Atwell is as good as everyone says, and I'll probably stick around for a while just to watch her work. But unless the series shuffles its priorities--and the writing staff--I can't imagine making it through even one season.… Expand
  2. sakharv
    Jan 22, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 1) It is a female lead show. Not many of those on air.
    2) Hayes is privileged, yet objective on controversial issues. Both are requirements for her job as head of the CIU. And although she is considered flawed and destructive and problematic, her objectiveness and vulnerability (which in my opinion originated in her privileged, yet overexposed childhood) redeem her.
    3) The CIU is not a fictional unit. It exists in certain cities throughout the country. People should know about this fact.
    4) The show brings diversity in many regards. And I for one love that Hayes is bi (and this fact was stated in a very casual, matter-of-factly way, as it should be). Plus Hayes and Maxine have developed a good friendship. And so have Tess and Frankie.
    5) Tess has questioned her white privilege on multiple occasions. I think that makes her a fantastic role model. And we need more episodes to see that Matty actually forgave Tess (and that forgiveness is possible in such life-altering situations).
    6) Frankie portrays that people can reform after a conviction. A prison sentence does not define a person. Human beings are multi-faceted, complex individuals who can change and improve.
    7) And above all, the show brings up controversial issues that many people don’t often think about or purposefully overlook because those issues don’t affect their daily lives.    … Expand
  3. oceano1641
    Oct 3, 2016
    1
    the first half hour could not hear dialogue! All you could hear was music. Not great for me! it was a complete disappointment have no idea what the story line is. Not impressed!
  4. AryamanS
    Oct 4, 2016
    10
    Though Conviction feels like tired formula, it is elevated by Atwell's flashy performance as Hayes Morrison, her amazing one-liners and the in-dept personal stories.
  5. Ripandread
    Oct 4, 2016
    0
    I also had trouble hearing the dialogue. It got to the point that I turned on the closed captioning and had to read what the actors were saying because the music was so loud.
  6. meldrew
    Oct 10, 2016
    5
    Exhausting to watch. The rush to establish everything in 40 minutes comes as a jolt to grown-ups who nowadays are accustomed to watching a single story unfold gradually over several episodes.

    That said, now that we more or less know where we are, I'm happy to give it a try for a few more weeks as a glossy break from the more serious fare. Current viewer average of 3.4 is very harsh    Exhausting to watch. The rush to establish everything in 40 minutes comes as a jolt to grown-ups who nowadays are accustomed to watching a single story unfold gradually over several episodes.

    That said, now that we more or less know where we are, I'm happy to give it a try for a few more weeks as a glossy break from the more serious fare. Current viewer average of 3.4 is very harsh after just one episode.    … Expand
  7. oneuppity
    Oct 11, 2016
    10
    I liked it a lot, but especially Hayley Atwell in her role as Hayes Morrison and her chemistry with Wallace. I hope the show continues, because it's very fun to watch.
  8. Rhiannon
    Nov 2, 2016
    10
    Love this show please don't cancel it. I am hooked! I have read that it is not doing well and I have no clue why. This is a great cast and well put together.
  9. gigit_c
    Nov 8, 2016
    10
    Love this show and I'm hooked, so please don't discontinue it. It's very interesting, knowledgeable and entertaining and I like all the characters. Thank you.
  10. Canuckgirl
    Nov 15, 2016
    0
    This has got to be one of the worst shows I ever seen. The main character is absolutely ridiculous. I really like 2 of actors on this show (Eddie Cahill and Merrin Dunguey) and I wanted to like this show but it's an epic failure. It is too bad, as the premise of reviewing convictions is interesting, as are some of the cases, but the writing is bad and the main character is just not at allThis has got to be one of the worst shows I ever seen. The main character is absolutely ridiculous. I really like 2 of actors on this show (Eddie Cahill and Merrin Dunguey) and I wanted to like this show but it's an epic failure. It is too bad, as the premise of reviewing convictions is interesting, as are some of the cases, but the writing is bad and the main character is just not at all believable… Expand
  11. mell25
    Jan 9, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's very interesting to see this show, I really love it! Can't believe they cancelled. i think every episode is new and refreshing. Almost every new series is fiction i know it's all fiction but it could be reall and that's what i love about this show. sad very sad… Expand
  12. DoveBran
    Jan 13, 2017
    10
    The first two episode to me were not that great, but then they started unfolding some of the characters and I got hooked. I love this show and I like the format; not believable, who can do something in just 5 days, but a refreshing change from other shows like this.
  13. snovasf
    Jan 30, 2017
    8
    People need justice to be not simply "served", but they need the idea of justice to support their lives. Especially if a judicial mistake ruined them. This Conviction Integrity Units are a growing trend. At least before Trump they were.
    As for the show - it is uneven, but everybody agrees that the lead character is very engaging in her spontaneity and a smart pursuit of truth. Her    People need justice to be not simply "served", but they need the idea of justice to support their lives. Especially if a judicial mistake ruined them. This Conviction Integrity Units are a growing trend. At least before Trump they were.
    As for the show - it is uneven, but everybody agrees that the lead character is very engaging in her spontaneity and a smart pursuit of truth. Her knowledge of political higher circles didn't turn her into a cynic but armed with tools to persevere and guard the main purpose of justice establishments in the society.
    A pity they decided to cancel the show.    … Expand
  14. hornysoul
    Sep 21, 2018
    7
    Confesso que os dois primeiros episódios não me impressionaram, mas, à medida que continuei a ver a série, interessei-me mais pela produção, pois o formato da série realmente é bom, apesar de existirem muitos clichés nos diálogos e nas situações criadas.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 25
  3. Negative: 9 out of 25
  1. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    Oct 14, 2016
    20
    Coercion might be the only way to get an audience for this incredibly labored legal drama.
    Read full review
  2. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Oct 3, 2016
    25
    The plot is ridiculous, the writing is bad and Atwell seems embarrassed to be there.
    Read full review
  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Oct 3, 2016
    80
    Judging from the premiere episode, Conviction is not just compelling and topical, it’s a master class in TV-series construction.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »