Recap: High Potential "Under the Rug"

 

This week, Morgan and Karadec find themselves navigating through the complexities of federal bureaucracy when a straightforward murder investigation brings them directly to the doorstep of the FBI. Here's a recap and review of High Potential, "Under the Rug."

The investigation begins with the mysterious death of a hitman, but the prosecution gets a sharp twist when the victim is revealed to be an undercover FBI agent posing as an assassin. The target? A widely loathed billionaire.

Morgan and Karadec are forced into an uneasy alliance with the FBI to determine who wanted the billionaire dead. The suspect pool initially points to a jealous husband—seeking revenge for the billionaire's affair with his wife—but the truth is far more cynical. In a classic "power protects power" reveal, it turns out the Lead FBI Agent and the billionaire conspired to kill the undercover agent to prevent the billionaire’s incriminating records from being exposed in a separate federal case.

Back at the house, Morgan receives a massive bouquet of flowers from Rhys, triggering a wave of complicated emotions in Elliot. The boy mistakenly believes the flowers are from his father, Roman, and is visibly crushed when he realizes they aren't.

However, the heartbreak is short-lived. In a heartwarming return for Taran Killam, we see a domestic win for the family. Morgan manages to turn the mood around by showing Elliot how his father’s old handiwork—specifically the pipes Roman fixed in the kitchen—is still holding strong. It was a beautiful way to reconnect the children to their father’s memory, returning Elliot to his happy self.

"Under the Rug" was a dependable episode that shone more through its character moments than its main mystery. Having Killam return, even if just briefly, brings so much emotional depth. His scene with Elliot truly captured the heart of the episode and reminded us why the quest for Roman is so important. A standout moment was Karadec and Nick reminiscing about a past case. Karadec’s confident statement that he has "nothing to hide" felt like meaningful foreshadowing, hinting at the season-long story about the precinct's hidden secrets. 

The tension between the LAPD and the Feds provided some delightful comedic moments for Morgan, who clearly enjoys being the smartest person in a room full of suits. The familiar trope of a "corrupt Fed and greedy billionaire" is a bit overused. When the FBI boss appeared, it was no surprise to discover he was the one sweeping secrets "under the rug." Though the mystery followed a familiar pattern, the heartfelt growth of Morgan’s family and the gentle hints about Karadec’s background made this a truly engaging watch. It’s exciting to see the show gradually assembling everything for an upcoming big finale. Overall, I give the episode a 7.7/10.

What did you think of this week's episode of High Potential? Do you think Karadec’s insistence that he has "nothing to hide" is the truth, or is he protecting a secret that could blow the Roman investigation wide open? Would you like me to help you draft a "Case Log" tracking all the clues Roman left behind in the house, like those kitchen pipes? Leave a comment.

You can catch High Potential Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu.