The following contains spoilers from High Potential Season 2, published post-release
High Potential gave us a near-perfect debut season, and now, we’ve got a solid sophomore run with exciting episodes worthy of rewatching. It isn’t exactly rare for procedurals to have great beginnings like this, but what we get with High Potential’s second season is exceptional. From the overarching narrative arcs to the engrossing performances, every minute of Season 2 is utterly thrilling.
The show immediately stood out from the beginning because of Kaitlin Olson, and she brings her A-game even more beautifully throughout this season as we learn more about Morgan Gillory and see the heart she always wears on her sleeves. While High Potential is inspired by the French original series, HPI, Olson fully makes Morgan her own character, and someone you can’t get enough of. From the first episode, “Pawns,” to the season finale, “Family Tree,” she consistently delivers some of the most enthralling performances on TV right now.
Morgan’s layers as an independent woman, a mother, a friend, and everything in-between gorgeously showcase how fleshed out she is, and the full range of emotions Olson conveys ensures that every moment in Season 2 is memorable.
With most procedurals, I, for one, am not watching for the cases or catastrophic events. I’m watching for the characters, and Olson is so magnetic as Morgan that she makes everyone around her shine, too. And that’s such a rarity on shows like this because women seldom get to take center stage the way the men do. Because of this, the found family we get with the core five—Morgan, Karadec, Soto, Daphne, and Oz—as well as characters like Ludo and the kids provides the warmth necessary for the series to stand out from a sea of procedurals. The character dynamics beam even more in the second season, with personal cases adding gravitas to their loyalty to one another, and increasing the tension in all the right ways.
There’s also no denying that the romance that’s gradually been developing between Morgan and Karadec makes the finale especially delicious when we factor in all the small moments in between. A good chunk of High Potential Season 2 is dedicated to giving us more information on Roman, and the way we continue collecting puzzle pieces allows the episodes to connect in a manner that ensures the season can be a full circle arc. We don’t have everything we want, but it’s still incredibly satisfying in all that it gives us.
With each case being mostly intriguing, the entertainment alone makes the sophomore season a joy ride. There’s also something to be said about how effective the needle drops are, adding depth to countless moments that’s also rare for the genre these days. Whatever the budget is, I hope ABC continues to grant it.
More importantly, there’s an edge and softness that’s brilliantly combined in the series, which allows it to feel like a more classic hit. Despite some of the darker narratives sprinkled throughout, the show is easily a comfort watch. From the sharp writing to the thoughtful character beats, the season glistens as a gratifying must-watch. If you only watch one show on network TV these days, let it be High Potential.
High Potential Season 2 is now streaming on Hulu.
First Featured Image Credit: ©ABC