High Potential Season 1 Episode 7 Review: One of Us
It is better to leave on a bang rather than a whimper — at least as a new TV show. High Potential Season 1 Episode 7, “One of Us,” takes this approach by ending on a thrilling midseason finale.
Fans endure a stressful but thrilling hour of television.
The series changes the format of the weekly case in a fun way that demonstrates that the series hasn’t grown comfortable in a pattern. “One Of Us” keeps High Potential’s many familiar beats (for example, misdirection, a fairly unknown culprit, new layers to the case and victims, twists, and turns) but presents them in a new package.
We haven’t seen an episode before this one with Morgan in direct danger. Additionally, we haven’t seen what happens when her children become part of the case and potential victims. This shift allows Kaitlin Olson to deliver her best High Potential performance yet.
The scene with Ava and Morgan crying as they say goodbye allows both actors to tap into some real-feeling emotions. You believe the anxiety and fear in both of their eyes and bodies as this could be their last conversation.
It’s also a scene that drives home the bond between this mother and daughter pair. We have only seen their present relationship, but these moments show a glimpse of their rich, layered past.
Ava could have easily left to ensure her safety. However, she couldn’t fathom the thought of leaving her mother alone to die. Then, she struggles again to go, even knowing it would ensure her being safe.
That’s such a powerful act and bond that we need to see more of on television.
Hopefully, High Potential continues to have moments like this between Ava and Morgan because their relationship initially feels like a typical mother-and-daughter dynamic. However, “One of Us” makes it so much greater.
Children and parents often love each other, but how many children would rather risk their lives just to guarantee that their parents potentially don’t die alone?
Because let’s face it, what could Ava accomplish by staying in danger?
If she died with Morgan or instead of her, Ava would accomplish nothing but potential devastation for her mother. This is also what makes Ava’s decision to stay frustrating.
She makes a reckless decision that could escalate the situation or end in her death. Like many mothers, we’re sure Morgan wouldn’t emotionally survive losing her child.
However, Amirah Johnson’s acting allows you to forgive Ava’s behavior. You remember she’s just a child who doesn’t want to lose her mother.
It’s a powerful moment that adds to High Potential’s strength: Morgan’s bond with her family.
Again, the case is a bit all over the place with the wrongly convicted soldier, a drug-addicted killer, a pregnancy plan, and a paranoid ex-soldier. It has a few too many parts.
We probably spend more time with these perpetrators than in many other cases. And you feel for the man wrongly accused, but you never grow to care enough about him and those acting on his behalf.
This could be because of the nature of the case, and though you sympathize with them all and their quest, you must remember how they make their demands. That’s why it’s appreciated when Morgan doesn’t give her normal empathetic and sympathetic care to one of the hostage-takers.
She gives some venom. Don’t mess with her children.
“One Of Us” takes a slide backward with the weekly cases but offers some thrilling emotional moments and a change in structure. It’s a solid episode that gives fans a good memory to hold them over until High Potential‘s January return.
Stray Thoughts
- Morgan getting a desk but still sitting on Karadec’s desk is very cute.
- Tom and Morgan are also very cute together. Looking forward to seeing their romance play out.
- “One Of Us” still has plenty of funny moments, proving that a well-crafted procedural drama can do both.
- Though Melon proves he’s not incompetent, it’s still hilarious when he claims he’s the best detective.
- Too many stupid attempts to play the hero. It’s surprising that no one died.
What did you think of this episode of High Potential? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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High Potential returns to ABC in January.
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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.