Welcome back, Castle And The Mentalist. Or is it Bones And Rizzoli & Islands that the pilot of High potential everyone remembers most? A healthy mix of each is present in ABC’s latest procedural. And there’s nothing special about it, except for the genius protagonist (and lead actor). In High potentiala great Kaitlin Olson plays Morgan Gilroy, whose high IQ, advanced cognitive abilities and photographic memory make her stand out among a slew of detectives at the LAPD, where she works as a lowly janitor. Any loyal television viewer will recognize that Morgan’s personality and skills are not exactly unique. She’s an amalgamation of several beloved TV characters. You know, the brainiacs who use their unique observations to solve a crime in a 40-minute episode, from Lieutenant Columbo to Adrian Monk to Temperance Brennan to Spencer Reid.

Of course, the direct inspiration for her and the show itself the French-Belgian series HPIwhich series creator Drew Goddard (The right place) adapts to a standard American procedure. It is by no means an original idea, but perhaps that is High potential‘s biggest selling point. ABC’s drama is longing to be the next big go-to network TV show to invest in for years to come, thanks to its broad character dynamics, mysteries, and charming heroine you can’t help but root for. (It’s similar to what CBS is trying to do with Elsbeth (Because who doesn’t want to watch comfort TV every week?)

As seen in the pilot, Morgan’s rare skill set doesn’t make her any less relatable. She’s a single mother of three who struggles to hold down a job, relying on coupons for groceries and her elderly neighbor to babysit at odd hours. She also claims that it’s hard for her to hold down a career, a relationship, or even a conversation because of her “gift” (read: obsession) for finding a solution to every problem she encounters. High potentialThe first episode of . is getting praise for giving Morgan plenty of layers right away.

Olson’s sarcasm also keeps her from being a wimp. The actor’s roles are usually smug (this is a compliment), as seen in Tricks, The Mickand of course, It’s always sunny in Philadelphia. She tones it down a bit here, expertly switching between sly and sentimental when Morgan needs emotional leverage. This is most evident in her relationships with her children: a teenage daughter, a nerdy son, and a toddler. A big revelation comes toward the end of the pilot 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 that something bad happened to him, but no one believes her, including Ava. Even the police never took her seriously at the time.

She gets another chance to investigate his whereabouts when she inadvertently proves her mettle to Captain Selena (Judy Reyes) and Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). At first, the two are pissed that Morgan would solicitously interfere with the murder they’re investigating. While dusting off Karadec’s desk one night, Morgan comes across crime scene photos and spots a mistake. With a few glances, she realizes that the dead man’s wife is not a suspect, as the police theorize, but a victim herself. She’s right, of course. Selena notes Morgan’s strange but wonderful Sherlock Holmes-like powers of deduction and connects her to Karadec, who, despite his reluctance, can’t deny that this civilian is incredibly helpful.

Morgan’s memory allows her to spout random facts crucial to the investigation, such as: wind directions or the construction of 18th century churches. And with her talent for picking up on the body language of suspects, they figure out who the two perpetrators are. Is the real case one of High potential‘s strong points? Not really. Other than ElsbethThis show doesn’t bring in cute guest stars to play crazy killers. This isn’t a plot-heavy TV show that you have to keep up with. So I appreciate that we get to spend a fair amount of time with Morgan’s family and learn about her vulnerabilities as a parent. She’s strict but understanding, quick-witted and also deeply concerned. These qualities allow her to bond with the victim’s daughter, which provides a window into the character we’re meant to fall for.



As for Morgan’s love life, if history is any indication, it seems likely that a romance will develop between her and Karadec at some point. Their unexpected professional partnership will undoubtedly blossom into a friendship and a relationship. That’s one hell of a dedicated group of shippers. Just ask fans of Castle and Beckett, Lucifer and Chloe, Booth and Bones, and so on.

Expect more than a few obstacles, though, including Morgan’s renewed hunt for her missing husband. She’s offered an official LAPD consultant position, and part of the deal is that the detectives will investigate her ex’s disappearance. Don’t worry, she’s also negotiating a pay raise, which will allow her to ditch the coupons. High potential‘s pilot is perfectly formulaic, as it sets up season one. There are no guarantees for the survival of a network drama these days, but Kaitlin Olson and Judy Reyes make for good reasons to give this one a shot. Who knows: You might spend the next few years watching them unravel lighthearted murder mysteries.

Random observations

• • Morgan’s outfits tell a story of their own. She wears flashy, mismatched clothes, covered in some sort of fur coat. This tells me that Morgan doesn’t give a fuck and can’t necessarily afford a more professional outfit.
• • Taran Killam is an inspired casting choice as Morgan’s second husband, Ludo. They’re no longer together, but he helps raise their kids. (Also RIP to Killam’s former ABC series, Single parents).
• • Daniel Sunjata’s presence as a cop in an ABC series reminds me of that Stumptown taken from us far too soon.
• • How long will it take for Morgan and Kadarec to fall for each other? High potential Do we wait until they notice that there is chemistry, or do we expect fireworks soon?
• • I’m adding Morgan to my list of fictional characters I’d like to have on my quiz team.
• • Sorry to speak too soon, but I’d give anything for a cameo from Rob McElhenney, Danny DeVito, Charlie Day or Glenn Howerton.