High Potential Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Pilot
Kaitlin Olson oozes on-screen charisma. Her presence may be enough for some to check out this new series. However, High Potential Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” doesn’t quite hook you, but shows promise.
Often, the right lead is the major selling point for a new series. Fans want a reliable face before committing to a year or seven to a series. This is even more true with the abundance of streaming, cable, and network television.
Sometimes a built-in fanbase with a show based on existing properties, like adaptations, spin-offs, or remakes, can escape the need for a major name as the lead. However, a completely new show may need a big name. High Potential needs Olson.
Olson has led, co-starred, and guest appeared in numerous very funny comedies, including It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mick, and Hacks. She thrives in comedy, but High Potential isn’t her usual role.
It’s a comedy and drama hybrid that forces Olson into a more earnest role.
The comedy is there but doesn’t quite land most of the time, especially if you compare it to other ABC dramas with plenty of comedy in this category, such as Will Trent. Olson excels at comedy but High Potential will test her dramatic chops. How her acting evolves in this role will be one of the fun things to watch.
Hacks has shown that Olson can bring the heartbreaking or heartfelt moments when necessary so it’s just a matter of time in this new ABC series.
High Potential is another quirky cop procedural, something ABC has seemingly become fond of, but the first case doesn’t compel. It all ends up feeling convoluted to get to the meat of the season, Morgan’s missing ex.
If High Potential had this case as the introduction, it might have been a stronger start to the series. It didn’t need to be solved yet but lay the groundwork for the season. The cases are likely not going to be the appeal of High Potential. Morgan and the team are the heart of this series.
The verdict remains inconclusive as to whether the characters can carry this series. It’s a great ensemble cast with veterans like Judy Reyes, Olson, Taran Killam, and Daniel Sunjata paired with known actors but still newer ones like Javicia Leslie and Deniz Akdeniz and younger actors like Amirah J and Matthew Lamb.
Everyone brings something to the cast.
Some of the characters’ relationships seem enough to hook. In particular, Morgan’s scenes with her children are some of the best in the “Pilot.” These scenes are entertaining and show the character beyond her genius status.
Karadec and Morgan’s relationship is one of the most intriguing. It’s unclear yet if they’re being set up for a slow burn enemies to lovers relationship or lifetime feuding partners. Either way, it makes you want to see their relationship journey.
The High Potential pilot doesn’t do enough to convince you that it’s a must-see weekly view, but it does enough to strike curiosity.
What did you think of this episode of High Potential? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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High Potential airs Tuesday at 10/9 C.
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Jerrica Tisdale
Jerrica Tisdale is your favorite neighborhood pop culture junkie. She will annoy you with random TV and film facts, while complaining about whatever is the hottest new book. She has been a TV fan all her life but writing about it for over a decade. You may find her work all over the internet especially reality TV rants. She is a senior writer at Tell-Tale TV.