Police procedurals are still a dime a dozen on television, but these days, networks champion characters that bring a unique spin to the genre. Series like CBS’ “Elsbeth,” NBC’s “The Irrational,” and ABC‘s “Will Trent” are crime dramas focusing on consultants or detectives who can examine crime scenes using perspectives that distinguish them from the average cop. Created by Drew Goddard and based on the French show “Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (HPI),” ABC’s “High Potential” follows Morgan (Kaitlin Olson), a professional cleaner and single mother of three, whose distinct vantage point and genius-level IQ lands her a consulting role in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Homicide Division. While “High Potential” isn’t exactly revolutionary, Morgan’s eccentricities and the quirky cases the team tackles are perhaps engaging enough to keep audiences tuned in.
“High Potential” begins on a seemingly ordinary L.A. night. Morgan leaves home and boards the bus for her job, cleaning the homicide unit office. Though the bubbly blonde seems mainly focused on the music blasting from her fire-engine red headphones, an overturned evidence box and a whiteboard outlining the department’s current case grab her attention. Unable to stop herself, she begins analyzing the photographs from the case before boldly crossing out the suspect on the board. Instead, she labels the woman as the victim.
When the detectives arrive at work the following day, they don’t take kindly to their work being questioned. After seeing Morgan on the office cameras, Selena (Judy Reyes), the unit’s lieutenant, calls her in to explain her actions. Uptight Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) is immediately annoyed by Morgan’s presence and refusal to follow protocols. However, Morgan’s compulsion and knack for correcting mistakes impress Selena and detectives Daphne (Javicia Leslie) and Oz (Deniz Akdeniz). Though she’s initially reluctant and not welcomed by Karadec, Morgan begins consulting on various investigations, pointing out clues that the police had overlooked or failed to assess were important.
Though it’s not breaking any new ground, “High Potential” is fine. Olson — an Emmy nominee for “Hacks,” and a longtime member of the company of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” — is more than capable as Morgan, a woman who appears content to walk to the beat of her own drum, even when it grates the nerves of her eldest daughter Ava (Amirah J) and Karadec. In addition to her obsession with the most minor details, Morgan’s fashion sense, which includes miniskirts and sky-high stiletto boots, offers texture to the character. Additionally, since her wardrobe is wholly impractical for navigating crime scenes, she is chronically underestimated by those she’s trying to help or incriminate.
Morgan’s home life is also intriguing. She has a friendly relationship with her ex-boyfriend Ludo (Taran Killam), the father of her two youngest children. However, her strained relationship with her teen daughter, Ava, and her tight financial situation suggests she has alternative reasons for accepting Selena’s offer to consult in the homicide division.
“High Potential” switched showrunners during the summer after Rob Thomas left the show, and was replaced by Todd Harthan. His challenge will be making the show stand out in an increasingly crowded genre, but Episode 3, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrel,” is particularly interesting. Though it first appears that a man has overdosed and accidentally drowned in a hotel bathroom, the case quickly morphs into a deeply complex crime involving stolen identity, greed, scamming and vengeance. Moreover, Morgan learns that her lax attitude toward rules and regulations could endanger her new colleagues.
“High Potential” has some bright moments, but much of what the show has to offer is rather expected. The show is clearly building toward a long-drawn-out will-they-won’t-they between Morgan and Karadec. Also, though some of the cases have some striking twists and turns, most of the clues are quite evident for those who have seen any network crime dramas. Still, with Olson leading the charge and skillful actors backing her up, the series is perfectly adequate formulaic television.
Welcome back, Castle and The Mentalist. Or is it Bones and Rizzoli & Isles that the pilot of High Potential reminded everyone of the most? A healthy mix of each is present in ABC’s latest procedural. And there’s nothing extraordinary about it except its genius protagonist (and lead star). In High Potential, a terrific Kaitlin Olson plays Morgan Gilroy, whose high IQ, advanced cognitive abilities, and photographic memory make her stand out among a slew of detectives at the LAPD, where she works as a mere cleaner. Any longtime viewer of television will recognize Morgan’s personality and skills aren’t particularly unique. She’s an amalgamation of various beloved TV characters. You know, the smarties who use their unique observations to solve a crime in a 40-minute episode, from Lieutenant Columbo and Adrian Monk to Temperance Brennan to Spencer Reid.
Of course, the direct inspiration for her and the show itself is the French-Belgium series HPI, which series creator Drew Goddard (The Good Place) adapts into a standard American procedural. It’s not an original idea by any means, but perhaps that’s High Potential’s biggest selling point. ABC’s drama yearns to be the next big go-to network TV show to invest in for several years, thanks to its broad-strokes character dynamics, mysteries, and charming heroine that you can’t help but root for. (It’s similar to what CBS is attempting with Elsbeth because who doesn’t want weekly comfort viewing back?)
As seen in the pilot, Morgan’s rare abilities don’t make her any less relatable. She’s a single mother of three struggling to maintain a job, relying on coupons for grocery shopping and her older neighbor for babysitting at odd hours. She also claims it’s tough for her to hold onto a career, relationship, or even a conversation because of her “gift” (read: obsession) to find a solution to any problem she comes across. High Potential’s first episode gets credit for wisely bringing enough layers to Morgan right away.
Olson’s snark ensures that she isn’t a hapless sack either. The actor’s roles are usually more smug (this is a compliment), as seen in Hacks, The Mick, and, of course, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. She ever-so-slightly tones it down here, switching expertly between sly and sentimental when Morgan requires emotional heft. This is seen most in her relationship with her kids: a teen daughter, nerdy son, and toddler. A big reveal comes toward the end of the pilot when the eldest child, Ava (Amirah J), confesses that she still feels abandoned by her dad. Ava’s father (Morgan’s first husband) disappeared 15 years ago. Morgan is convinced something bad happened to him, but no one believes her, including Ava. Even the cops never took her seriously back then.
She gets another chance to investigate his whereabouts when she unintentionally proves her mettle to Captain Selena (Judy Reyes) and Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). At first, the two are pissed that Morgan casually messes around with the murder they’re investigating. While dusting Karadec’s desk one night, Morgan stumbles upon crime-scene photos and spots an error. With a few glances she realizes the dead man’s wife isn’t a suspect, as the cops theorize, but a victim herself. She’s right, of course. Selena clocks Morgan’s weird but awesome Sherlock Holmes-esque deduction skills and teams her up with Karadec who, despite his reluctance, can’t deny that this civilian is incredibly helpful.
Thanks to Morgan’s memory, she is able to spout off random facts crucial to the investigation like wind directions or the construction of 18th-century churches. And with her knack for picking up suspects’ body language, they figure out who the two culprits are. Is the actual case one of High Potential’s strengths? Not really. Unlike Elsbeth, this show doesn’t bring in fun guest stars to play kooky murderers. This isn’t a plot-heavy TV show that you need to keep track of. So I appreciate that we spend sufficient time with Morgan’s family instead and learn about her vulnerabilities as a parent. She’s strict yet understanding, quick-witted, and also very concerned. These qualities enable her to bond with the victim’s daughter, providing a window into the character we’re supposed to fall for.
As for Morgan’s love life, if history is any indication, we’re shaping up for a romance between her and Karadec at some point. Their unexpected professional partnership is undeniably going to bloom into a friendship and relationship. That’s how you get a devoted set of shippers. Just ask fans of Castle and Beckett, Lucifer and Chloe, Booth and Bones, and so on.
Expect more than a few obstacles, though, including Morgan’s renewed hunt for her missing husband. She gets an offer to officially become an LAPD consultant, and part of the deal is the detectives will look into her ex’s vanishing. Don’t worry, she also negotiates a salary bump, which mans she can ditch the coupons. High Potential’s pilot is perfectly formulaic as it sets up season one. There are no guarantees on the survival of a network drama nowadays, but Kaitlin Olson and Judy Reyes are good reasons to give this a shot. Who knows: You might end up spending the next several years watching them unravel lighthearted murder mysteries.
