Welcome back, Lock And The Mentalist. Or is it Bones And Rizzoli & Islands that the pilot of High potential reminded everyone of it the most? A healthy mix of both is present in ABC’s latest crime series. And there is nothing extraordinary about it, except its brilliant protagonist (and lead actor). In High potentiala great Kaitlin Olson plays Morgan Gilroy, whose high IQ, strong cognitive skills and photographic memory make her stand out among a crowd of detectives at the LAPD, where she works as a lowly cleaner. Any long-time TV viewer will recognize that Morgan’s personality and skills are not particularly unique. She is a mixture of several popular TV characters. You know, the smart guys who use their unique observations to solve a crime in a 40-minute episode, from Lieutenant Columbo and Adrian Monk to Temperance Brennan and Spencer Reid.

Of course the direct inspiration for her and the show itself, the French-Belgian series HPIthe series creators Drew Goddard (The good place) becomes a standard American crime story. It is by no means an original idea, but perhaps that is High potentialThe biggest selling point. The ABC drama longs to be the next big TV series that you can invest in for several years, thanks to its gritty character dynamics, its secrets and its charming heroine that you can’t help but root for. (It’s similar to what CBS did with Elsbeth Because who doesn’t want to watch the preview again every week?)

As seen in the pilot, Morgan’s rare abilities don’t make her any less likable. She’s a single mother of three struggling to keep her job, and relies on grocery coupons and her elderly neighbor to watch the kids at odd hours. She also claims that she finds it difficult to hold on to a career, a relationship, or even a conversation because she has “a gift” (read: obsession) for finding a solution to every problem she encounters. High potentialIt deserves credit that the first episode wisely gives Morgan enough facets right from the start.

Olson’s sarcasm ensures that she is not a helpless idiot either. The actor’s roles are usually more smug (that’s a compliment), as can be seen in Hacking, The Mickand of course It’s always sunny in Philadelphia. She tones down her emotions ever so slightly here, skillfully switching between devious and sentimental when Morgan needs emotional depth. This is most evident in her relationship with her children: a teenage daughter, a nerdy son, and a toddler. A big revelation comes toward the end of the pilot episode, when the eldest child, Ava (Amirah J), confesses that she still feels abandoned by her father. Ava’s father (Morgan’s first husband) disappeared 15 years ago. Morgan is convinced something bad happened to him, but no one believes her, not even Ava. Even the police never took her seriously back then.

She gets another chance to track down his whereabouts when she inadvertently proves her bravery to Captain Selena (Judy Reyes) and Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). At first, the two are upset that Morgan is playing so lightly with the murder they are investigating. One night, while dusting Karadec’s desk, Morgan stumbles upon crime scene photos and spots a mistake. After a few glances, she realizes that the dead man’s wife is not a suspect, as the police suspect, but a victim herself. Of course, she’s right. Selena notices Morgan’s strange but great Sherlock Holmes-style deduction skills and puts her in touch with Karadec, who, despite his reticence, can’t deny that this civilian is incredibly helpful.

Thanks to Morgan’s memory, she is able to recall random facts that are crucial to the investigation, such as wind directions or the architecture of 18th century churches. And with their talent for reading the suspects’ body language, they find out who the two perpetrators are. Is the actual case one of High potentialStrengths? Not really. Unlike Elsbeththis show doesn’t bring in funny guest stars playing crazy killers. This isn’t a plot-heavy television show that you have to follow, so I appreciate that instead we get to spend ample time with Morgan’s family and learn about her vulnerabilities as a mother. She’s stern but understanding, quick-witted, and also very concerned. These traits allow her to bond with the victim’s daughter and provide insight into the character we’re meant to fall in love with..



As for Morgan’s love life, if history is any indication, there will be a romance between her and Karadec at some point. Their unexpected professional partnership will no doubt develop into a friendship and relationship. That’s how you get a loyal following. Just ask fans of Castle and Beckett, Lucifer and Chloe, Booth and Bones, etc.

However, there are a few obstacles to contend with, including Morgan’s renewed search for her missing husband. She gets an offer to officially become a consultant with the LAPD, and part of the deal is that the detectives will investigate her ex’s disappearance. But don’t worry, she also negotiates a raise, which means she can get rid of the coupons. High potentialThe pilot is perfectly formulaic and sets up the first season. There’s no guarantee that a network drama will survive these days, but Kaitlin Olson and Judy Reyes are good reasons to give it a try. Who knows: You might spend the next few years watching them solve lighthearted crime stories.

Scatter observations

• • Morgan’s outfits tell a story of their own. She wears bright, inappropriate clothing covered by some sort of fur coat. This tells me that Morgan doesn’t give a damn and that she can’t necessarily afford a more polished, professional outfit.
• • Taran Killam is an inspired casting choice for Morgan’s second husband Ludo. They are no longer together, but he helps raise their children. (And RIP to Killam’s previous ABC series, Single parents).
• • Daniel Sunjata’s performance as a police officer in an ABC series reminds me Stumptown was taken from us far too early.
• • So how long will it take until Morgan and Kadarec start to fall in love? Will High potential wait until they realize that there is chemistry between them, or can we expect fireworks soon?
• • I add Morgan to my list of fictional characters I want on my trivia team.
• • Sorry to come out of this too soon, but I would kill for a cameo from Rob McElhenney, Danny DeVito, Charlie Day or Glenn Howerton.