High Potential Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Dancers In The Dark

Morgan proves her importance to the team and starts to prove it to the viewers. High Potential Season 1 Episode 2, “Dancers in the Dark,” is a stronger outing than the pilot but the series still could use some work. The case of the week is what improves the most.  

However, it may not focus enough on the suspects to make the reveal satisfying, shocking, or scandalous. The big reveal at the end falls flat because you barely remember the characters. The crimes of the week need more meat to invest us fully.

That may be one of the biggest flaws of High Potential so far. We care about the team, Morgan, and her family, but lack some attachment to the crimes of the week. Will Trent, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the Law and Order franchise, and other procedural cop dramas and comedies make us invest, at least to some degree, in the weekly cases.

“Dancers in the Dark” starts well because you are intrigued by the case and the victim. His tap dancer background, tough upbringing, and loving mother have all the ingredients for a compelling case. It is for a bit but loses steam by the end.

The interest in the case fades as “Dancers in the Dark” continues, but the episode works because it helps establish some of the dynamics going forward. Morgan and Karadec are fun to watch together, and Karadec gets plenty of funny lines.

Currently, they’re the duo we’re most entertained and interested in watching.

The introduction of Lieutenant Melon also adds a new layer to High Potential. He seems like an oddball that you wouldn’t expect to hold this level of authority. He could be very entertaining to watch.

Despite the serious nature of “Dancers in the Dark,” the comedy really shines. Once again, ABC has created a police procedural that’s not shy from blending comedy and drama. This is a perfect platform for Kaitlin Olson, who we know for her comedic abilities.

She easily shines in those aspects, but watching to see if the other cast members do as well makes High Potential more fun. So far, Daniel Sunjata’s serious nature as Karadec plays perfectly for the straight man to her funny man in this partnership.

High Potential’s second episode also lets you appreciate the show’s unique premise. It’s not that Morgan is a genius that makes this show stand out, it’s that she’s a single mom.

There are plenty of single mom cop characters, but not many where it’s so integral to their character on the show. She’s the type of hot mess character you’d see on shows like Shameless.

You rarely see the hot mess single mom also trying to solve crimes, but this type of mess character helping law enforcement is not a new concept but a proven successful one.

And Morgan isn’t a hot mess because she’s not a good mom. She’s an excellent mom. Morgan’s hotmessness comes from her general personal quirks.

This makes Morgan captivating to watch and makes you care about her more than some stone-faced, straight-laced by the book cops. Even Karadec, who may supposedly feel that role, doesn’t necessarily.

This automatically sets High Potential as something similar but unique enough to hook you.

“Dancers in the Dark” shows promise and that High Potential may grow as it goes.

Stray Thoughts

• Yeah, shipping Karadec and Morgan has already begun
• I appreciate the glove scene because at least this one tries to pretend to know proper police protocol.
• The disappearance of Morgan’s ex really is a great season-long storyline. I need to know what happened to him.

What did you think of this episode of High Potential? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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High Potential airs Tuesdays at 9/8 C on ABC. 

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