Reviewer Rating: 4.5/5.0
4.5
Come on, Miss Morgan, solve crimes in her fuzzy faux fur coat! “High Potential” allows Elsbeth to compete in the “outlandish attire” department.
Who says you can’t be incredible when it comes to bringing criminals to justice? If Karadek can look like a drunk in a suit, then Morgan shouldn’t have any crap about her boots that are clearly made for walking!
“High Potential” continues to prove its longevity, with Kaitlin Olsen’s charm and comedic timing bringing this incredible series to its fullest potential.
The most surprising thing about this show is that it is a love child between education and entertainment!
High potential can do a lot with just a little interesting information
If you’ve been paying attention to the reviews, you know that I always give High Potential its due due to the fun and random bits of information it provides.
For one thing, I don’t know about Madagascar’s naming conventions. This is an interesting message and I spent too much time studying it.
Has anyone else put together the names of couples they know? No? Me neither. I’m here to find friends. Seriously, this show is incredibly smart, especially how seamlessly it moves into education.
This is one of my favorite parts of the show so far. When you, I, or anyone else signs up for a police procedural like Elsbeth and Monk, we want to be amazed by the way a crime is solved.
Thankfully, this series has plenty of twists and turns! This episode, in particular, was full of clues. However, the best thing some viewers may notice is that “Dirty Rotten Villains” strikes a balance.
This episode didn’t focus on world-building or character introductions. I think we’ve seen all the people who are here to stay.
We may see a few random cops and detectives, but the core cast has been officially confirmed.
High Potential finally realizes the full potential of its supporting cast
Now that we’re past the world-building hump, we finally get to see Oz and Daphne actually work on a case. In episodes one and two of High Potential’s first season, both characters act as assistants rather than detectives.
When it comes to the murders, everyone works together and this is the first episode where everyone feels like part of the team. Granted, the choice of who to work with is not a good one.
Don’t get me wrong. Even though every one of Karadek’s detective clichés is down to the last drop of whiskey in the bottle, it’s an atmosphere. He’s not too ugly, but he’s a turn-off.
I know what you’re going to say. Yes, he has to stay professional at all times, and working in homicide is certainly heartbreaking, but Oz (Deniz Akdeniz) and Daphne (Javicia Leslie) seem to retain their happiness.
Although, compared to the obviously exhausted Lieutenant Mellon, Karadek seemed dreamy.
Even Selena doesn’t want to work with him in this episode, which she makes clear when she calls him “someone she’d rather not deal with.”
Captain is now. It looks like Morgan is already starting to make an impact at the station.
Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan puts heart at the center of high potential
Ladies, light up your lighters for legend, mother, and genius Morgan Guillory! Kaitlin Olson has had huge success with this role and it’s paying off!
Morgan is funny and confident, but not in an “I don’t care what other people think” kind of way. She genuinely cares about the struggles and pain of strangers.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt for her to pay more attention. There’s nothing wrong with Karadek respecting the way the process works. His handsome face could have been chopped off by that bartender with a knife!
She also needs to stop quitting every other episode. However, when Karadek (Daniel Sunjata) tells her that Morgan has resigned, the captain’s reaction is hysterical.
She didn’t think twice and said, “No, she didn’t.” I think Cap really likes Morgan. Who wouldn’t?
Her fashion is fun and her makeup is always on point, but her big heart is the real heart of the show. Her care for her family and colleagues is incredible.
It’s also a great balance for the character. I love a compassionate genius. There’s a fascination with House and his many residences, but it all feels mean. To be fair, he saved many lives.
Speaking of the heart, I have to say that the children feel like real characters. In many shows, children are treated as props or plot devices.
In High Potential, the kids are pretty much front and center, with half the episode focused on their struggles. Technically, the series isn’t necessarily a police procedural.
“High Potential” is about Morgan and her big brain. She may help in a hospital or laboratory. I guess the police are lucky to have a genius cleaning lady. What a coincidence.
High potential can do a great job of normalizing the struggles that come with overactive thinking
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s the random clues that appear on characters. I criticized the first season of Elsbeth for this several times.
I know there are eureka moments in the real world, but sometimes, it comes across as lazy writing.
As far as High Potential goes, I’ll give the show a pass for having Morgan randomly realize that the dictionary is the clue they need.
When the little girl said her father gave her a dictionary, I said, “The little girl is having a stuffed animal tea party. If she’s interested in a dictionary, she’ll read to them.”
I’m surprised Morgan didn’t time it. However, the episode got a pass thanks to Morgan’s big brain.
As she said in the first episode of High Potential Season 1, her cognitive abilities are more like a curse. In Dirty Scoundrels we see this.
The thought of her daughter hanging out with a teenage boy made her lose control. This is called snowballing due to intrusive thoughts.
Some viewers may be aware of this, but intrusive thoughts are about things that could happen, but they are not based in logic. The mind is filled with possibilities and these thoughts can consume a person.
Most people are unable to move on or become productive until the intrusive thoughts are resolved. So, since Morgan is a snowballer of intrusive thoughts, I would say she most likely had a random eureka moment.
Hats off to the writer who stuck to the Roman case. I thought the matter would be shelved, but Captain Selina (Judy Reyes) is ready to take on the case.
High Potential is a police procedural that any viewer can enjoy, regardless of their tastes. With this show doing so well, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get news of a renewal soon!
What do you think happened to Morgan’s missing ex Roman?
What’s your favorite moment as Morgan solving crimes or being a mom?
Leave a comment below and let me know what you love about this show or any other show, and join me again when I review the next episode of High Potential!
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