Critic’s Rating: 5 / 5.0
5
What is this show? Who are the writers? How does High Potential keep getting better with every episode? There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe how amazing this show is.
If there is one mama bear you don’t want to mess with, it’s Morgan Gillory. Especially one who looks as fabulous as Miss Morgan while bringing criminals to justice.
High Potential walks the tightrope of hilarious comedy and thrilling drama with all the grace of a potentially long-running series.
The show is rife with so much emotion that it’s easy to go from laughing to crying at a moment’s notice. Don’t worry if you ugly cried during this episode – so did I.
High Potential Keeps The Story Moving With Morgan And Karadec’s Sibling Energy
We can all agree that Karadec and Morgan have finally found their middle ground. So much so that they are rubbing off on each other.
Captain Selena got the message across to Karadec when she said, “She’s rubbing off on you.” However, the opposite is also true.
Did you notice how Morgan quickly got her gloves on before picking up evidence? Or how she’s already thinking like a cop to the point that she can guess what Karadec is thinking?
In the High Potential Season 1 Episode 4 Spoilers, I said that Karadec and Morgan were feeling more and more like siblings. This episode just about confirmed it.
Whether or not they trust each other, it’s clear that they have a lot of respect for each other. Beyond that, I think they already care about each other and don’t even realize it.
One of the best things about this episode was seeing Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) go full detective mode. Instead of constantly telling Morgan not to touch something or to be quiet, he was able to focus on the case.
While the world-building and bickering were fun for a while, it’s good that the series is keeping the story moving forward.
Things Are Finally Popping Off At The Precinct With Supporting Characters Finally Supporting
Karadec wasn’t the only one in investigation mode. I’ve given High Potential a lot of guff for sidelining Daphne and Oz. Thankfully, they’ve become more prominent with every episode.
I will need High Potential to give Oz a little more screen time. I’m still not over the actor’s scenes from Ghosts Season 3. If you know, you know.
It’s all hands on deck with an amber alert. Even Captain Selena (Judy Reyes) was very active in this episode, seemingly around every corner waiting for an update.
Although, she could’ve just been avoiding Detective Melon, who was absent from “Survival Mode.” The last time we saw him, he was annoying Selena while looking into Morgan’s missing partner.
However, we did not see the good captain working on that case in this episode. Selena needs to pick up the pace since there aren’t many episodes to High Potential Season 1.
She got lucky this time because Morgan was busy being in mama bear mode, but the likelihood of more kids getting nabbed is slim.
Morgan Is A Mama Bear With High Potential And An Open Heart
My goodness, we saw a different side of Morgan this time around. But was it the lack of sleep or relating to another mother that brought up so much emotion for her?
That answer is likely both. First, hats off to the writers for continuing to show how Morgan struggles with her mind. Everyone wants a fast brain, but no one wants the downsides.
A restless mind is its own hell. Anyone who has not slept for days knows how quickly logic and rationality go out the window.
Couple that with a mother’s instincts, and Morgan actually kept her calm. There were clear moments when she was using self-control not to lose it.
When she found the mom, Mia (Madeline Zima), trying to sell an antique for quick cash, I thought Morgan was about to beat the living daylights out of her. You can see it, right? The fire in her eyes was raging.
Is it weird that I was happy the mom was only getting money for the ransom? It’s better than a mom kidnapping her own kids.
I’ve said from the start and continue to see in every episode that Morgan’s heart is as big as her brain — possibly even bigger.
Kaitlin Olson Delivered A Performance Like None Other In Her Career
There’s a ferocity under Morgan’s animal print and knee-high boots. She doesn’t take crap from anyone, and she has no tolerance for innocents in pain.
Love her or hate her, but Morgan is a beautifully crafted character that Kaitlin Olson does a damn good job portraying.
I keep looking for hints of the actress’s previous roles, but Morgan is unlike anything Olson has done. The range she accomplished in this episode between the tears and anger was unbelievably moving.
Even though her kids didn’t appear until the end, you could feel Morgan’s love for them throughout the episode.
It was there when she immediately jumped on the case. It was there when Morgan fought to prove Mia wasn’t a suspect. And it was definitely there when Morgan didn’t hesitate to go with Mia to meet the kidnapper.
Sure, Morgan is inhumanly intelligent, but what she brings to the precinct is the kind of warmth needed to keep the job from crushing your soul.
As the series continues, seeing how Karadec and Morgan’s relationship develops will be interesting.
And isn’t that one of the best parts of shows with lasting power? Seeing how the characters evolve and grow to see each other like family?
High Potential is a top-tier ABC procedural that continues to exceed the audience’s expectations. While there hasn’t been word of a renewal, I have no doubt this series isn’t going anywhere.
That would be nice since I’m still not over Kaitlin Olson’s previous project, The Mick, getting canceled. That’s a grudge I can’t soon let go of.
Anyway, you already know I will be glued to my seat, soaking up every incredible moment of High Potential. So, don’t be shy with your thoughts on the show.
What was your favorite part of this episode?
Do you think Karadec and Morgan act like brother and sister?
Please drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I review the next episode of High Potential!
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