High Potential Season 2 Episode 2 Review: Checkmate

Things get exciting with a satisfying ending and a mixed results episode. High Potential Season 2 Episode 2, “Checkmate,” concludes the Gamer Maker saga…for now. In the most delicious way, justice is served.  

Morgan and the Game Maker’s cat and mouse, intellect versus intellect, good versus evil, battle has raged on for several episodes. With Matthew, it seems like Morgan has finally met her epic foe.

He’s the Riddler to her Batman. He’s the Green Goblin to her Spider-Man. Matthew is the Mayor to her Buffy, and the Hannibal to her Clarice.

Matthew is the villain that heroes dream about and dread. The ones that push them to perform at their best, but also bring them nightmares because of their ruthlessness and cleverness. At least that’s what we expect from Matthew.

Nevertheless, their final battle (possibly for now) feels a bit anticlimactic. Morgan easily outsmarts him at every corner. She also makes his riddles and clues look like child’s play.

Maybe it’s a testament to Morgan’s superior intellect, or maybe it’s proof that Matthew is more of a showman than an actual mastermind.

He’s the Wizard of Oz. It’s more interesting if Morgan is just such a bright individual that even the smartest criminal cannot outsmart her. Additionally, the Game Maker gives her clues along the way. He assists in her outplaying him.

Nonetheless, something about this Matthew and Morgan showdown lacks the oomph that should have happened. It feels like the lead-up is more intense and intriguing than the actual meeting and battle.

However, the final few minutes of “Checkmate” satisfy. It is also not that easy to predict. You’re not sure if Morgan is about to look like a fool for letting him kill himself, or if she will stop it. However, Kaitlin Olson plays this moment well.

She gives a slight look that indicates that she knows what’s happening. This allows you to also quickly recognize that she probably sees Matthew’s death by suicide attempt coming and has something there to catch him.

Matthew’s tragic backstory also feels a bit meh. You don’t exactly feel sorry for him, but you’re also not exactly unfeeling about him. He may have been a more captivating criminal if he had just done it all for the love of the game.

He didn’t need a sob story, especially one that, though sad, doesn’t make you go, “damn, he really had it bad.”

You go, “That sucks, but still no excuse.” Morgan echoes this sentiment with her response.

David Giuntoli does a great job as Matthew. It’s the appropriate amount of creepy. Plus, there is a lot of suspense and intrigue during the entirety of the episode.

High Potential only struggles with this one because High Potential Season 2 Episode 1, “Pawns,” is such an intense, entertaining, and fun start to the season.

The momentum drops a bit with “Checkmate.” However, it still isn’t a bad episode, just doesn’t live up to the hype set up by previous ones.

Stray Thoughts

• The happy ending is nice, but it feels out of place because of the dark tone at the beginning. However, it’s a reminder of why High Potential works: Morgan’s humanity.
• It did surprise me when that’s not the real Roman. Guess we must wait longer to meet him.
• Ludo survives. My prediction is wrong.
• Oz getting to arrest Matthew is such a triumphant moment.
• His name being Matthew makes him truly feel like her soulmate in a villainous way. Her evil twin of sorts.
• I am glad the Game Maker doesn’t die, because that means the potential of return visits.
• Though not related, the Matthew and Morgan confrontation reminds me a little of Veronica and Beaver’s confrontation at the end of Veronica Mars Season 2. Somehow, they have a similar vibe.

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High Potential airs Tuesdays at 10/9 C on ABC.

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