High Potential Season 2 Episode 10 Review: Grounded

Morgan loses her job – almost. How would this world look without her?  High Potential Season 2 Episode 10, “Grounded,” makes us wonder this, but we aren’t left to ponder too long.

Selena saves the day.

It is a strong episode for Lieutenant Soto as she protects her team while standing up for them and herself. She really uses this opportunity to highlight her superior skills. This acts as more proof that she should have been the new captain.

Seemingly, Wagner has a major secret. Therefore, Selena may still have an opportunity to stake her claim to the police throne. She earned it.

The excitement from this episode comes from Selena’s showdowns with Solomon and Wagner. She highlights her heart and mind, while remaining an emotional anchor for the team.

Soto’s emotional investment in her subordinates makes her stronger, not weaker, than similar lieutenant characters. This once again displays that High Potential’s power lies in its emotional core.

Morgan, Selena, and others aren’t treated as weak because they have heart, empathy, and warmth. Their soul and strength lie in channeling these emotions into power, proactive behavior, and grit.

Even characters such as Karadec become more dynamic and layered because he becomes less robotic and more human. Humans have emotions. These characters, often like real-life law enforcement, aren’t going to be the perfect TV cops.

Nonetheless, “Grounded” finally addresses Morgan’s less-than-ethical and professional behavior. In real life, she would have been taken off these cases long ago. This leads to some fun scenes of Morgan in the classroom.

Morgan is fun because she doesn’t play by the rules, but it’s still important she learns them. Hopefully, High Potential continues to show her taking courses and becoming a more professional consultant.

Her professional growth may be something viewers can watch unfold as the show progresses. We like to see Morgan at least attempt to keep things by the book – even if she repeatedly fails.

The series also successfully tricks us. For a moment, it does seem like Solomon fires Morgan. We expect a tiny hiatus from the force.

This makes Selena’s blackmail even more scandalous. We don’t see it coming, but cheer for it. Likely, this is something that will haunt her in future episodes.

Therefore, this temporary win feels hollow, but it’s exciting enough for a jolt of joy that we know won’t last. Solomon also seems like a vindictive character.

He will definitely seek revenge one day.

High Potential’s case of the week has some interesting points, but it’s the things not involving the case that matter. They are what make “Grounded” one of the better episodes of Season 2 so far.

It makes us curious about the outcome of everything going forward.

This episode works because of Selena’s tenacity and love for her team. It proves that emotions are what drive and make this series great.

Stray Thoughts

• Morgan has so many funny scenes in class. We need more of them.
• I love random asides, like hearing that Morgan took Karadec’s phone and changed his ringtone.
• Morgan losing her job is such a sad scene. This show has convinced us of the team’s strong bond.
• Nonetheless, I wanted her temporarily suspended to learn a lesson. The lesson won’t be learned.

 

What did you think of this episode of High Potential? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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

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