High Potential Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

4.5

Come on, Miss Morgan, solving crime in her fuzzy, faux fur coat! High Potential could give Elsbeth a run for its money in the “eccentric wardrobe” department.

Who says you can’t look incredible while bringing criminals to justice? If Karadec can show up looking like a tall drink of water in a suit, Morgan shouldn’t get any guff for her boots that were clearly made for walking!

High Potential continues to prove it has promising longevity, with Kaitlin Olson’s charisma and comedic timing leading this incredible series to its fullest potential.

The most surprising thing about this show is that it’s the love child between education and entertainment!

High Potential Does A Lot With A Little Bit Of Interesting Information

If you’ve kept up with the reviews, you know I always give High Potential the credit it deserves for interesting and random information.

For one thing, I did not know about the naming custom in Madagascar. That was a fun nugget of information I spent too much time playing around with.

Did anyone else smash together the names of couples that they know? No? Me neither. I was asking for a friend. In all seriousness, the show is very clever, especially in how seamlessly it drops in educational treats.

So far, that has been one of my favorite parts of the show. When you, me, or anyone else signs up for a police procedural like Elsbeth and Monk, we want to be wowed by how the crime is solved.

Thankfully, this series has twists and turns by the bulk! This episode, in particular, was rife with clues. However, the best thing some viewers likely noticed is that “Dirty Rotten Scoundrel” had equilibrium.

The episode didn’t feel focused on world-building or character introductions. I think we’ve seen everyone who will be sticking around.

We may see a few random cops and detectives, but the core cast is officially filled out.

High Potential Finally Utilizes It’s Supporting Cast To Its Full Potential

Now that we’re past the world-building hump, we’re finally seeing Oz and Daphne really working the cases. In High Potential Season 1 Episode 1 and 2, both characters acted as assistants rather than detectives.

It’s all hands on deck regarding murder, and this was the first episode where everyone felt like a part of the team. Granted, the options of who to work with aren’t great.

Don’t get me wrong. Karadec is a vibe despite being every detective cliche down to the last drop of whiskey in the bottle. He’s also not too hard on the eyes, but he is a killjoy.

I know what you’re going to say. Yes, he must always remain professional, and working in homicide must be soul-crushing, but Oz (Deniz Akdeniz) and Daphne (Javicia Leslie) seem to have retained their pleasantness.

Although, Karadec seems like a dream compared to the obviously exhausting Lieutenant Melon.

Not even Selena wanted to work with him in this episode, as she made clear when she referred to him as “Someone she would rather not deal with.”

The captain is the moment. It seems like Morgan has already started rubbing off on the station.

Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Keeps Heart At The Center Of High Potential

Ladies, put your lighters up for the legend, the mom, and the genius, Morgan Gillory! Kaitlin Olson swung big with this character, and it is paying off!

Morgan is fun and confident, but not in that “I don’t care what anyone thinks” way. She genuinely cares about the struggle and pain of strangers.

Although, it wouldn’t hurt for her to be more mindful. Karadec was not wrong about respecting how the process works. That handsome face of his could’ve gotten sliced up by that bartender with the knife!

She also needs to stop quitting every other episode. However, the captain’s response to Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) informing her that Morgan had quit was hysterical.

She didn’t miss a bit before she said, “No, she didn’t.” I think the captain really likes Morgan. Who wouldn’t?!

Her fashion is fun, and her makeup is always on point, but it’s her big heart that is literally the heart of the show. The way she cares about her family and co-workers is incredibly moving.

It’s also an excellent balance for the character. I love a sympathetic genius. People were obsessed with House and his many digs, but it all felt mean-spirited. In fairness, he saved a lot of lives.

Speaking of heart, it needs to be said that the kids feel like actual characters. In so many shows, children are treated like props or plot devices.

In High Potential, the kids are practically front and center, with half the episode focusing on their struggles. Technically speaking, this series doesn’t have to be a police procedural.

High Potential is about Morgan and her big brain. She could be helping out in hospitals or labs. I guess the police lucked out by having a genius cleaning lady. What a coincidence.

High Potential Does A Good Job Of Normalizing The Struggles That Come With An Overactive Mind

If there is one thing I cannot stand, it’s a clue that randomly occurs to a character. I dinged Elsbeth Season 1 a few times for it.

I’m aware that light bulb moments happen in the real world, but sometimes, it comes off as lazy writing.

In the case of High Potential, I will give the show a pass for Morgan randomly realizing the dictionary was the clue they needed.

As soon as the little girl said her father had gifted her a dictionary, I said, ” That little girl is having a tea party with stuffed animals. If she were interested in the dictionary, she’d read it to them.”

I was surprised Morgan didn’t clock that. However, the episode gets a pass because of Morgan’s big brain.

As she said in High Potential Season 1 Episode 1, her cognitive abilities are more of a curse. In “Dirty Rotten Scoundrel,” we saw that in action.

She spun out of control at the thought of her daughter hanging out with a teenage boy. That is what is referred to as snowballing due to intrusive thoughts.

Some viewers may be aware of this, but intrusive thoughts are about things that COULD happen, but they aren’t based on logic. The mind is flooded with possibilities, and those thoughts eat away at a person.

Until intrusive thoughts are dealt with, most people can’t move on or be productive. So, because Morgan is a snow-baller with intrusive thoughts, I will say it’s very possible she had a random light bulb moment.

And hats off to the writers for sticking with the Roman case. I expected it to be put on the back burner, but Captain Selena (Judy Reyes) was primed and ready to jump on the case.

High Potential is the police procedural that any viewer can enjoy, no matter their taste. With how amazing this show is doing, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get word of a renewal very soon!

What do you think happened to Morgan’s missing ex, Roman?

Do you like Morgan best when she is solving a case or when she is being a mom?

Please drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this or any other show, and join me again when I review the next episode of High Potential!

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