High Potential Season 1

Last season's new ABC series, High Potential, was an absolute gem in the police procedural genre. With the Season 2 premiere just around the corner, here's a quick recap and review of what made the first season so great.

A Genius, an Unlikely Partner, and a Missing Man

High Potential features Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson), a single mother of three who also works as a cleaner at the Los Angeles Police Department. Despite her job, Morgan is a true genius with an IQ of 160, which qualifies her for a high-potential intellectual, or HPI, status.

One day at work, she unexpectedly uncovers a complex case that the major case squad has struggled to solve, until Morgan smoothly puts the pieces together. Although her discovery isn't greeted with immediate warmth, her success earns her an offer to become a consultant for the LAPD. However, Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) isn't exactly thrilled about this, especially since they end up partnering together.

Throughout the first season, Morgan and her team investigate a variety of cases, from a cold case involving a family murder to a hostage situation stemming from a wrongful accusation. They also confront a serial kidnapper who engages in elaborate and sinister games, challenging Morgan to solve the victims' whereabouts before they perish. This new villain, her Moriarty to Morgan's Sherlock Holmes, introduces a thrilling new threat for the second season.

All the while, Morgan gently asks her LAPD boss, Lieutenant Selena Soto (Judy Reyes), for help in opening an investigation into her first husband, Roman, who is also the father of their daughter, Ava, and who disappeared 15 years ago.

The Verdict: A Well-Crafted Procedural

The first season of High Potential was an engaging and well-crafted crime procedural. It featured strong writing and memorable performances, especially from Kaitlin Olson. The duo between Olson and Sunjata improves as the season progresses, and their partnership is genuinely worth watching. The show doesn't condescend to the audience and gracefully explains the theories Morgan presents and her approach. And while the kids were a bit annoying at the beginning, I enjoyed the balance of family and work stories by the end of the season.

Here's something that has been on my mind: does anyone else think Tom could be Roman?

Final Rating: 9/10

What did you think of the first season of High Potential? Are you looking forward to Season 2? What about my theory about Tom? Leave your comments below.

You can catch the season premiere of High Potential on Tuesday, Sept. 16th at 10/9c on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu.