High Potentialwas one of the best new shows of 2024, but I’m convinced season 2 can be even better. The13 episodes inHigh Potentialseason 1improved exponentially each passing week, solidifying the crime drama as an instant classic. Furthermore, the chemistry between Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillory and the LAPD Major Crimes Unit made for a perfect ensemble.
After earning high praise from critics and record-breaking ratings from viewers, it’s no surprise thatHigh Potentialwas considered one of thebiggest Emmy snubs of 2025. From the creative direction to the highly-stylized visuals,High Potentialproved it was more than a typical procedural. Despite its impressive pilot showing, however,High Potentialseason 2 still has room to grow.
8Morgan Has To Be Wrong About A Case
Her Brain Can’t Be Infallible
ThroughoutHigh Potentialseason 1, Morgan proved her merit as Major Crimes’ consultant by routinely picking up clues that other investigators missed. Her titular High Intellectual Potential manifested itself in precise, detail-oriented detective work, to the initial chagrin of Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata).
Despite her blatant disregard for protocol and downright reckless approach to police work, Morgan was the key to solving each case, often having a final epiphany that prompted a monologue about the true culprit. However,Morgan can’t always find the final piece of the puzzle.Morgan’s HPI inHigh Potentialis the show’s hook, but she can’t risk becoming inhuman.
Whether Morgan can’t see the big picture or fixates on a red herring, there are easy conflicts that Morgan can experience that won’t undermine her amazing powers of deduction.
Instead of needlessly reaffirming her genius, she should occasionally struggle and rely on her team to fill in the blanks. Whether Morgan can’t see the big picture or fixates on a red herring, there are easy conflicts that Morgan can experience that won’t undermine her amazing powers of deduction. If anything, failing every so often will only strengthen her character.
7Morgan’s Children Have To Be More Important To The Plot
ABC Needs To Follow In The Original’s Footsteps
Morgan grew close to her coworkers at the LAPD, but her family always came first inHigh Potentialseason 1. Her three children— Elliot (Matthew Lamb), Ava (Amirah J), and baby Chloe— and her ex, Ludo (Taran Killam), were Morgan’s main support system, and every time they were incorporated into the plot,High Potentialfelt more grounded.
Unfortunately,Morgan’s children were rarely utilized to their full potential. Granted, there were moments like Ava being caught in episode 13’s hostage situation or Elliot opening up about being a misfit in episode 10, but Morgan’s family felt surface-level more often than not inHigh Potentialseason 1.
To remedy this,High Potentialshould borrow from its French predecessorandmake Morgan’s children fully realized characterswho can affect the plot. Whether they help Morgan on a stakeout or give her more meaningful subplots, season 2 can take the family aspect up a notch and make Morgan’s family more than ornamental.
6The LAPD’s New Captain Has To Accept Morgan
InHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 11, it felt like Morgan was finally being confronted by a realistic and potentially long-term antagonist: Captain Pacheco (Keith David). Lieutenant Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) defended Morgan to her boss, but Pacheco looked down on the so-called“cleaning lady experiment”and was hoping for an excuse to fire Morgan.
Sadly, Pacheco has seemingly left as quickly as he appeared and been replaced by Captain Jesse Wagner,Steve Howey’s upcomingHigh Potentialcharacter. Between his charming disposition and political acumen, Wagner is positioned to be a worthy foe for Morgan inHigh Potentialseason 2.
While an underdog protagonist versus a high-powered oppressor is a classic conflict,High Potentialcan’t leave Morgan without any hope. Wagner shouldn’t immediately take a shine to her, nor should he end the season firmly in support of Major Crimes and its many antics. Rather, the new captain should challenge Morgan to be better and grow to appreciate her skills.
5Tom Has To Let Morgan Go
The Short-Lived Romance Can’t Be Revived
When JD Pardo joinedHigh Potentialas Tom, it was immediately clear that the cleaner would be Morgan’s first love interest. Despite the obvious set-up, Morgan and Tom never had real chemistry, and their relationship quickly fizzled out due to communication issues and Tom’s decision to move to San Diego.
After their anticlimactic breakup, Tom returned in theHigh Potentialseason 1 finaleto dance with Morgan at the police gala, which seemed to suggest their fling may be brought back in season 2. Rather than follow through on that strange decision,High Potentialshould leave Tom (and his feelings for Morgan) in the past.
If ABC decides Morgan must have romance in season 2,High Potentialhas better love interests to possibly invest in.Morgan and Karadec’s partnership inHigh Potentialhas been strictly professional thus far, but it would be a classic move to bring them together romantically. Conversely, the impending return of Morgan’s first love, Roman, could complicate everything.
4Karadec Has To Reveal More Of His Backstory
Season 1 Teased Some Major Heartbreak
High Potentialseason 1 wisely chose not to rely too much on exposition or over-explain the characters’ pasts. Morgan’s history with Roman was the biggest lore dump, but even that was to supplement an ongoing investigation. Instead, the procedural left small hints regarding the ensemble’s backstories, like Karadec’s conversation with Morgan in episode 8.
As he explained to Morgan, Karadec was engaged to a woman named Lucia, but she left him after realizing he would always love his job more than her.Karadec’s heartbreak inHigh Potentialhelped explain his brisk, closed-off personality at the beginning of the series, but there’s still much to unravel within the male lead.
3Daphne And Oz Have To Have More Screen Time
The Partners Could Make For Compelling B-Plots
The Major Crimes Unit was full of lively characters, but the connection between Daphne Forrester (Javicia Leslie) and Lev “Oz” Ozdil (Deniz Akdeniz) is a potential gold mine for the crime drama. Of course, Morgan and Karadec are still interesting asHigh Potential’s main pair, butDaphne and Oz’s partnership is equal parts wholesome and baffling.
Undeniably, Daphne is the procedural’s most underrated character, as she shone in many ofHigh Potentialseason 1’s casesbut never got much credit. She and Oz have already proven they can handle a subplot, but I’d love to see more of the secondary pair inHigh Potentialseason 2, whether they’re off gallivanting or facing high-octane danger.
2Roman Has To Have A Good Reason For Disappearing
Ava Lived Her Entire Life Believing She Was Abandoned
The biggest bombshell atthe end ofHigh Potentialseason 1was that Roman is not only alive; Karadec also knows where to find him. Episode 13 also added new twists and turns that made Roman’s fate anything but predictable. As uncovered by Karadec, Roman was secretly working with the FBI before he vanished 15 years prior to the series.
Since the series premiere,High Potential’s Roman mysterywas an intriguing underlying plot, but it’s rapidly approaching the time for answers. Unfortunately for Roman, his disappearance left far too many wounds to re-enter Morgan and Ava’s lives without hesitation.
Between Ava thinking he left voluntarily and Morgan fearing he was dead, Roman’s absence took a toll. The cluesHigh Potentialhas already given prove Roman was trying to protect his family, but whatever he’s been doing the last 15 years will make-or-break his character.
1Morgan Has To Catch David
The First Recurring Villain Must Be Brought To Justice
The most exciting aspect ofHigh Potential’s season finale was letting its villain— a serial kidnapper known only as “David” (David Giuntoli)— escape. After targeting multiple civilians and nearly killing Oz, David approached Morgan and her family in plain sight before the LAPD even realized they were one step behind the criminal mastermind.
Whichever character isDavid’s target inHigh Potentialseason 2is no doubt in for a sinister ride, but whatever twisted plan the gamemaker has can’t be successful.David evading capture only worked due to its novelty; if he outwits Morgan and the team again, it’ll simply feel like overkill.
Luckily, Morgan having to redeem herself and go toe-to-toe with an evil genius could be the perfect final showdown forHigh Potentialseason 2. Not only would it end on a triumphant note, but Morgan will be able to use whatever lessons she learns throughout the season to take David down once and for all.
