High Potential Season 2, Episode 9, “Under the Rug” Spoilers Ahead
Perfection is an episode that ends with a needle drop of Phoebe Bridgers’ “Sidelines,” and that’s the latest gem we get in High Potential. Nine episodes into Season 2, and it’s so telling that this is the episode where we see Morgan Gillory crumble a bit—the episode where we understand that valuable people often need the reminder of their worth, too. And it’s so perfect in every way, even if the case itself isn’t nearly as intriguing as the continuation of “The One That Got Away: Part Two.“
But in every way, “Under the Rug” shines because of the conversations that happen in between. It shines because it aims to strengthen relationships while allowing the characters to grow, and given the nature of procedurals and how we don’t get beats like this frequently, it’s exceptional in every way.
Morgan Gillory Has Accomplished Plenty
There’s something extra vile about a mediocre man who uses his seemingly God given talents to create dangerous products, telling a woman that she hasn’t accomplished anything. There’s something extra horrific about how he talks to Morgan throughout the episode and how he discredits her, but the worst part of it is that it gets to her. Before we reach the end and have confirmation, Kaitlin Olson shows us that these are words she’s heard before. They’re words she’s maybe even said aloud to herself, berating herself over and over again because once upon a time, her father did it, too.
And in many ways, High Potential Season 2, Episode 9, “Under the Rug,” allows us to relate to her on a level that’s so human, it’s heartbreaking. Because really, Morgan is smarter than many of us. She’s certainly more gifted than I am, and I have no qualms admitting that, but as women, it’s never enough. As women, we always have to go the extra mile to keep proving ourselves because none of it matters in the grand scheme of things when men like this continue to get away with their bullying and badgering. The expectations consistently thrust upon us aren’t ever fair, and here in this moment, we get a clear sense of how universal this pain truly is.
Because in this world, it’s never enough. Not really. Maybe, unless everyone somehow gets to experience their own version of It’s a Wonderful Life or something. I’m not quite sure, to be honest. But it’s so lovely to see this arc for Morgan, as if we needed more reasons to adore her as a character. The best part of it is that we know she’s accomplished plenty—we’ve watched it for two seasons now. Yet, the beat at the end is still so achingly perfect that everything about the execution works to make the entire episode twice as evocative.
Ludo and Elliot Talk Breakups
Nothing floors me more on High Potential than the healthy partnership between Ludo and Morgan and the unyielding trust between them. With that in mind, it’s great that we get verbal confirmation of the fact that they’re great at being a team, but they aren’t suited to being a couple, and how that’s something more people can understand if they were as honest as these two are.
Still, it’s also about the maturity, and the type of honest conversations that take place in High Potential Season 2, Episode 8, “Under the Rug,” are exactly what make it such a strong chapter. Because even this scene of Ludo talking to Elliot without sugarcoating any part of the truth is so admirable in allowing him to understand exactly why his parents will never get back together, even though they’ll always be a team. (But no one wants her with Rhys, buddy. We’re with you on that.)
“Do you have any idea how valuable you are to us?”
On any other show, I’d be hesitant to openly ship the way I do on High Potential, and it’s because there’s no other way to interpret moments like the final scene, and what they represent in leading us toward the big picture. Karadec has so much respect for Morgan that it’s staggering at times—so amusing to watch because not only does he realize she’s upset (he knows her silences, after all), but he pockets information about her for safekeeping, and that’s exactly what we see when he brings up her father. And after she confirms, it’s even more revealing that Karadec doesn’t respond while standing up, but he sits down to be at the same level as her.
He sits down to show her that he’s her equal. He’s her partner. He wants her to understand that when he says the words, “Do you have any idea how valuable you are to us?” that he means it with his entire being. Daniel Sunjata’s tonal shift in the way he punctuates her name is Karadec’s way of emphasizing that he wants her to understand that he means every word he’s about to say. How he keeps eye contact, how he tilts his head to make sure she catches the movements, and how he believes in her is exactly what showcases not just the type of partner he’d be, but the one he already is—a man who knows her. Fully. A shoulder pat is platonic now, but it’s still so deeply meaningful to add a physical touch to say that he wants her to be okay. He wants her to be taken care of.
And quite frankly, it results in a perfect scene because it’s exactly what she needs to hear, and Olson shows it to us with her body language. Morgan doesn’t have to pretend around Karadec. She can hold her own with anyone standing before her, but by now, she also realizes that around Karadec, she doesn’t need to uphold her armor. At least not fully. She can let her guard down for a beat, try a little less, and just feel the emotions whirling inside of her all day. These moments are also going to mean so much more when everything’s out in the open. And if you want to scream some more, just look up the lyrics to “Sidelines.”
Stray Thoughts
- “Does Rhys have a last name?” Please, Elliot is a comedian.
- “Will you stop obsessing over my shoes, please?” Aw, look, they’re also comedians.
- Daphne’s fit in this episode is incredible!
- Karadec really hates it when he isn’t partnered with Morgan, and it’s so funny.
- Oh my God, Elliot!! 😭😂 this poor clueless child.
- “Watch the world from the sidelines // Had nothing to prove // ‘Til you came into my life // Gave me something to lose” HAHAHAAHAHA YOU GUYS, THIS SONG. I’m never getting over this. This ship really is the most delicious slow burn.
Now streaming on Hulu: What are your thoughts on the High Potential Season 2, Episode 9, “Under the Rug?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Disney/Jessica Perez)