Morgan and Karadec just took their relationship to the next level on the fall finale of ABC’s High Potential. And by that, we mean they’re now… deskmates! What did you assume we meant?
Tuesday’s episode put the entire precinct through the wringer when a group of armed vigilantes made hostages out of several key staffers—along with Ava, who was visiting her mother at work for the day.
A far cry from the show’s usual lighthearted tone, this harrowing hour pushed Morgan beyond her mental and emotional limits to solve one of the departments’ mishandled cases. Everyone eventually made it out of the building alive, though poor Tom (JD Pardo) ended up in the hospital after taking a bullet. Hey, that’s what you get for trying to play hero.
Below, showrunner Todd Harthan takes TVLine inside the eventful hour, explaining how the ordeal will affect Morgan and her family moving forward and what we can expect when High Potential returns in 2025 for the second half of its freshman season:
This was a wild episode. Things have been relatively low-stakes thus far, so I definitely didn’t see a full-blown hostage situation coming. That was intentional. I wanted to inform viewers that this show will feature a new flavor each week. Some of the flavors will be light and smooth, while others will captivate you in unexpected ways.
Every day of life is unique. Some days are funny, some traumatic, some absurd, and it’s all true. This episode fulfilled several expectations. At a moment when Morgan and Ava were crying in each other’s faces, I was struck by how talented a dramatic actress Caitlin is. I tend to only think of her in the comedy realm.
Yes! We can explore those locations because, as you pointed out, everyone recognizes Caitlin as a comedic genius. However, it’s worth noting that some comedic geniuses have also proven to be exceptional dramatic actors. When crafting stories for the show, I aim to incorporate a wide range of diverse perspectives.
Beyond that, when you look at this cast and all the tools they have at their disposal, you can’t help but be impressed. I have no limitations.” You mentioned the word “traumatic” earlier, and this episode certainly was that. Will it impact Morgan and Ava in the future, or will things continue as usual?
I believe you will be taken aback by the impact it has on them. Ava has always harbored a deep-seated resentment toward Morgan for possessing a gift that Ava lacks, despite her younger brother having it. But now she’s witnessed life-and-death circumstances, and she’s seen the value of her mother’s gift. Moving forward, you will witness this young woman viewing her mother from a slightly different perspective.
When the kidnappers asked for the best detective, Melon volunteered himself, but everyone else knew it was Morgan. Do you think she would be content to continue working as a consultant, or would she ever want to become an official detective?
You know, that’s a sensible question. I haven’t thought about that, so I’m thinking about it now in real time. I’m just riffing here, as if we were in the writers’ room. I believe Morgan is a person who embraces the present moment, and when she finds contentment, she doesn’t seek out new experiences.
I think that consulting with this newfound family is beneficial for her and her family. She doesn’t approach situations with the mindset of “How can this serve as a foundation for my next venture?”
When Morgan was on the phone with Karadec and she spoke in code about Ava, he knew exactly what she was talking about. Is this a sign that they’re becoming better co-workers, or are they forging a deeper connection?
They are definitely forging a deeper connection. I love that our relationship with them has no romantic jealousy or will-they-won’t-they dynamics. I don’t love to do that. At the beginning, there was no trust between them. He wanted nothing to do with her. Slowly but surely, there’s this mutual respect and bond and loyalty building between them. They are becoming individuals who are willing to sacrifice themselves for each other without any ulterior motives.
That’s the bond, which I think is infectious. Down the road, who knows what will happen in a long-running series? Right now, I want the audience to fall in love with what my writers and I fell in love with—that these two people really care about each other and want to protect each other. Well, Karadec‘s got some stiff competition in Tom. I appreciated him getting a hero moment in this episode, taking a bullet for everyone.
JD Pardo is a lovely human being. I was in New York when we were casting him, and I was like, “Hey, do you want to come in? This is the character.” I don’t think we have a script yet. I was merely outlining the character for him. It turns out he’s a massive Caitlin Olson fan, and he was like, “I’ll do anything.
You just tell me where and when.” He exudes natural charm and comfort, both as a human being and as an actor. He folded right in. He was great. The Roman aspect of it all also deeply interests me. How will the mystery of Morgan‘s ex unfold when the show returns in 2025?
The latter half of Season 1 is particularly significant. It’s big, and it’s exciting. It really blooms in three of our back six episodes. What I didn’t want to do was leave the audience with only small clues in the first half of the season without offering them something more substantial in the second half, as a hint of what could be in store for a future season.
Obviously, it impacts Morgan, but it also indirectly affects Ava. The story features some truly remarkable events between a mother and her daughter, which I believe the audience will find captivating. You’ll experience excitement, mystery, and heartbreak.