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High Potential Pilot Review: Kaitlin Olson and Cast Make ABC Must-Watch Again
Kaitlin Olson as Morgan in High Potential-Pilot Episode on ABC-Hulu-(Image Courtesy of David Bukach-Disney)
ABC's latest crime dramedy, High Potential, starring Kaitlin Olson, debuted on September 17, 2024. Since I exclusively stream content, I caught it on Hulu the next day. This new mystery series follows a quirky single mom with a high IQ who helps the police solve cases in unconventional ways.
When High Potential was first announced, I wasn’t sure what to expect. From the trailer, the show seemed like it might follow a familiar and predictable format, which could lose steam after a few episodes.
I had stepped away from ABC for a while because, despite intriguing premises, many of their shows fell into repetitive routines. But 'High Potential' brought me back. It was a fun start and surprising how the pilot episode felt fresh while still delivering the familiar elements we, as viewers, love in a show like this. It feels like a return to form for ABC.
Having enjoyed Olson’s comedic work on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and her Emmy-nominated performance in Hacks, I was eager to see her in this new role. With Olson leading the cast, along with talented names like Judy Reyes and Daniel Sunjata, and knowing the show is based on the popular French series Haut Potentiel Intellectuel, High Potential had me hooked on the idea from the start.
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Kaitlin Olson as Morgan in High Potential-Pilot Episode on ABC-Hulu-(Image Courtesy of David Bukach-Disney)
The episode begins with Morgan (Olson), a single mother of three, starting her cleaning shift at the LAPD. As she playfully dances while cleaning, she accidentally knocks over a case file.
Unable to resist, Morgan spots key details the detectives missed, rearranging the crime board and offering a fresh lead. This quickly leads to trouble when the detectives review the security footage and realize she tampered with the case.
(L to R)-Judy Reyes, Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Kaitlin Olson in High Potential-Pilot Episode on ABC-Hulu-(Image Courtesy of David Bukach-Disney)
When she’s called back to the police station, Morgan tries to explain her actions to Captain Selena (Judy Reyes) and Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). “I saw a problem, and I tried to fix it,” she says, revealing her obsessive need for order.
Initially, I was concerned that Morgan might come across as a 'know-it-all' and wasn't sure if Olson would be the right fit for such a character. However, Olson brings a sense of vulnerability to the role. When Morgan says, "I just wanted to sleep. I have a compulsion to put things right," it reveals a deeper layer to the character. Olson has this great ability to balance humor and drama, making Morgan not only vulnerable but also engaging and relatable.
Image (L to R): Judy Reyes as Captain Selena, Daniel Sunjata as Detective Karadec in High Potential-Pilot Episode on ABC-Hulu-(Image Courtesy of David Bukach-Disney)
Reyes’s character, Captain Selena, clearly demonstrates her keen intuition when she decides to involve Morgan in the case, recognizing her unique perspective. Meanwhile, Sunjata's portrayal of Detective Karadec—strict and short-tempered but with a soft side—adds humor, especially in his interactions with Morgan.
In this pilot episode, we don’t learn much about Selena, Karadec, and the other characters. However, the actors and showrunners effectively create enough curiosity about them. By the end of the episode, it left me eager to see what happens next.
Like any good cozy mystery, Morgan and Detective Karadec have a rocky start. Karadec is clearly uncomfortable with Morgan’s unconventional methods, but as the case progresses, he can’t deny her sharp insights. Reluctantly, he agrees to work with her, motivated by his desire to help the victim’s daughter.
Morgan, too, has personal reasons for wanting to solve the case—she understands what it’s like to live with unanswered questions about a loved one. The showrunners smartly didn’t stretch out the conflict between them, quickly giving the characters a reason to join forces.
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In A Passage for Trumpet, we are introduced to Joey Crown, a down-on-his-luck trumpet player battling depression and alcoholism.
Image (L to R): Judy Reyes as Captain Selena and Kaitlin Olson as Morgan in High Potential-Pilot Episode on ABC/Hulu-(Image Courtesy of David Bukach/Disney)
While Morgan’s high IQ occasionally made me question her actions—like when she tampered with evidence—the show addresses this earlier. In a key moment, Captain Selena asks, “How do you do that?” (referring to Morgan's perceived gift) to which Morgan responds, “No, not a gift. I obsess over every little problem I see. My mind is constantly spinning out of control."
From that brief conversation, it was clear why Morgan might react impulsively rather than thinking things through. Her tampering with evidence felt more like a stressful response to her need for order. What others might see as a gift, she views as something difficult to manage. As she put it, it’s "not a gift," and having a high IQ doesn’t mean she’s immune to making mistakes or acting impulsively.
Image (L to R): Judy Reyes as Selena, Javicia Leslie as Daphne, Deniz Akdeniz as Lev ‘Oz’ Osman, Daniel Sunjata as Karadec, Kaitlin Olson as Morgan, Amirah J as Ava, and Matthew Lamb as Elliotin in High Potential-Pilot Episode on ABC-Hulu-(Image Courtesy of Pamela Littky/Disney)
In the end, Morgan and Detective Karadec successfully solve the case. Kaitlin Olson delivers a powerful dramatic scene after speaking with her daughter, hinting that there's much more to Morgan's story. This is later confirmed by a confession she makes to her daughter and when she accepts a job offer from Captain Selena, with the added request that they help her find someone missing from her life.
While the episode had touching moments and familiar TV tropes—like the distant nod of understanding between Morgan and Karadec, which I always enjoy—the pilot offered something fresh that stood out. The cutaway scenes when Morgan explains her thought process are both funny and effective, adding a unique touch that sets the show apart from other mystery comedies.
From the pilot alone, High Potential feels like a fun mix of a "whodunnit" and "howdunnit." The actors did a great job, and I’m excited to see how their stories develop. I'm especially intrigued by Morgan's relationship with her teenage daughter Ava, played by Amirah J (Shameless). I enjoyed the pacing, the energy, and found myself laughing often. The showrunners left me wanting more, making it a promising start.
Thanks for sticking with me through this recap/review! If you’ve seen the pilot episode, comment below and let me know your thoughts.
Keep It Interesting, and Stay Channel Surfing!
-Damian
