High Potential

What is High Potential About?

An unsolvable crime frustrates the LAPD department and boggles their minds. That is, until a single mum, a cleaner with three kids, notices the finer points on the evidence board in the police department.

Now, the questions that remain for cleaner Morgan Gillory, is whether she can make a career out of exceptional police work using her high potential gift, and whether she can track down the whereabouts of someone she once loved.

Our Honest High Potential Review

There’s nothing more interesting than a whodunnit series layered with comedy and characters who clash yet riff off each other, and that’s what we liked about High Potential. But we also enjoy watching characters grow, and High Potential has got that too. Throughout this TV show, created by Drew Goddard, we wonder whether Gillory will exceed expectations. And time and time again, she grates on leading detective Adam Karadec’s nerves.

But the comedy comes in scenes and moments like the opening when Gillory cleans to music, and we liked the fact that lighthearted moments are always contrasted with high-stakes, major crimes. With High Potential, we instantly thought of Brooklyn Nine Nine, and moments like when Jake Peralta sings the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way” in the middle of an interrogation. Yet this crime drama is also tense, innovative, and fast-paced, which grabbed our attention.

What Do the Critics Think of High Potential?

The innovative, intriguing plot makes for exciting viewing. Here are the opinions of the critics:

• “It’s undeniably enjoyable, thanks in large part to Olson, who injects her character with so much wit, charm, and tenderness” – A Good Movie to Watch, Renee Cuisia

• “As weekly network television shows go, this one is pretty good. It has a strong woman in the lead. Good supporting characters surround her. The characters have little side plots and quirks to keep things interesting” – Old Ain’t Dead, Virginia DeBolt.

• “Her character (Gillory) is outrageous and out there, but it’s working and I actually think a lot of the humor landed because of Kaitlin Olson.” – TV Fanatic, Amy Koto

What Awards and Nominations did High Potential Receive?

High potential for High Potential? It looks that way. The TV show ranked at number one on the Hulu streaming platform for three days in a row starting on the 22nd of September 2024.

Backing this show’s critical acclaim are the nominations it has received – it was a Saturn Award nominee for the Best Action/Thriller Television Series, and its actors, Olson and Daniel Sunjata (who plays Karadec) were nominated by Astra TV for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for their roles in High Potential.

Crew & Cast of High Potential

A talented cast and crew are what make High Potential so successful. Check out some lesser-known facts about them:

Fun Facts About High Potential

• The High Potential pilot episode is a remake of the French original HPI: Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (2021) series.

• Detective Karadec’s name is taken from the inspector character’s surname of the French original series.

• Consultant Morgan’s name is also taken from a High Potential character in the French original series. It’s derived from Morgane’s first name.
  
• The station in High Potential is shot in the old Highland Park Police Station.
  
• There are other High Potential adaptations, and the 2024 version is the fifth.
  

Themes of High Potential

The central, most notable theme of the High Potential TV show is justice, crime, and law, and these are all apparent from the opening scenes in the pilot.

And yet there are some other equally important motifs that happen outside of the police station. We feel the challenges of motherhood are conveyed exceptionally as the series progresses and, at the same time, other themes are depicted well, like the unforeseen skills of neurodivergent individuals and children within the home setting.

 

How Does High Potential Compare to James Roday Rodriguez’s Other Work?

Rodriguez’s directing style, seen in several episodes of High Potential, is most notable in various Psych movies. It reflects his skills at creating suspenseful and thrilling projects in which the mundane appears exciting, and doesn’t stray far from his earlier work in the comedic scenes of the Psych series that came before the films. 

Iconic Scenes from High Potential

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

The cast of High Potential – Kaitlin Olson, Amira J, who plays Ava, Gillory’s daughter, and Daniel Sunjata – reflect on the show’s popularity, the characters they play, and how they were chosen for them in the High Potential TV show:

• On her character Morgan Gillory, Olson claims that, like in real life, “there are a lot of people who are very smart and there’s a lot that comes along with that – that can be troubling.” She also enjoyed filming the series because there is a “really fun, weird, interesting character at the centre of it.”

• Amira J, states that she “did a self tape for the directors and producers as her call back.” After that, maybe a month after, she auditioned again and got a call to confirm that she was the one they wanted to book for Ava. She “was in tears and so, so excited.”

• About the reception of the show, Daniel Sunjata claims that “one of the reasons why there’s been a positive response to it is that it’s procedural but a different kind of procedural than people are used to.” He claims that “the genius of Olson’s comedic timing” is something audiences definitely haven’t seen before.

What’s the Soundtrack Like for High Potential?

Tracks like “Heavy Cross” by Gossip can be heard in the series, a fast-paced, rock-themed track that mirrors the fast-paced scene in which Morgan cleans the police department.

A different catchy track that is less uptempo and more melodic is “Back in My Body” by Maggie Rogers.

Best Quotes from High Potential

• “Who the hell is this?” – Karadec, responding to CCTV footage of Morgan dancing while listening to music and cleaning the police department.

• “You’re a single mom with three kids pretending to be a cop.” – Morgan’s older child, Ava, scoffing at her mum’s ability to handle motherhood and detective work.

• “I see you brought your baby. To a crime scene.” – Karadec speaking with raised eyebrows to Morgan and almost questioning whether there is wisdom in her decision.

• “You see a cleaning lady. I see more.” – Head detective Selena explaining to her boss that Morgan is more than just a cleaning lady.
  
• “Morgan is a high-potential intellectual. She has advanced cognitive abilities.” – Head detective Selena explaining to her boss that Morgan has a unique mind that can help her solve cases.
  
• “This is my first interrogation. What do we do? Is it like good cop, bad cop? D’you want me to go in and flip the table over?” – Morgan speaking with colleague Lev ‘Oz’ while watching her first interrogation from behind the glass.
  
• “So … you guys made mistakes. I fixed ’em. Let’s not make a big deal out of this. You got a suspect to find. I have some expired ham to fry up before tomorrow, so, if you will excuse me.” – Morgan speaking with Karadec and questioning whether she should continue in her role as consultant for the police department.
  
• “What mistakes did you see?” – Head detective Selena asking Morgan to prove her skills.
  
• “Okay, let’s be very clear. You are not going to say anything, you are not going to touch anything, and you are not going to do anything.” – Karadec explaining to Morgan that she needs to follow the rules if she is to take part in the investigation.
  
• “Right. Right. I should probably be strapped in case things pop off.” – Morgan jokingly telling Karadec that she should have a weapon to defend herself.
  

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