‘High Potential’ Review: Kaitlin Olson Is the Spark in ABC’s Faltering Crime Procedural

ABC’s newest attempt at a crime procedural, High Potential, arrives with a quirky premise, a recognizable cast, and the backing of creator Drew Goddard (The Martian, The Good Place). Yet after the first few episodes, one truth stands out above all others: Kaitlin Olson is the only reason to keep watching.

The series, part dramedy and part crime-of-the-week, introduces audiences to Morgan (Olson), a single mother who works nights as a cleaning lady in the Los Angeles Police Department. By day, she juggles raising her children; by night, she tidies up crime boards — and, eventually, solves the cases pinned to them.

The Premise

The hook is simple: Morgan has an exceptionally high IQ, a razor-sharp memory, and a habit of absorbing random facts from TV documentaries. This knowledge gives her the ability to connect clues detectives overlook. When Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) discovers her meddling with evidence, he initially treats her as a nuisance. But her uncanny insight soon forces him — and the entire Major Crimes unit — to recognize her brilliance.

It’s a classic “outsider genius helps the pros” setup, reminiscent of Castle, Monk, or The Mentalist. The twist is that Morgan is not a writer or a private investigator, but a blue-collar worker whose intellect has gone unrecognized by the system.

Kaitlin Olson’s Star Power

Olson, best known for her long-running role as Dee on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, is the series’ one undeniable strength. She brings both humor and vulnerability to Morgan, a woman who masks frustration with sarcasm but whose heart is rooted in protecting her family.

Her scenes opposite Sunjata’s Karadec are where the show comes alive. Olson has a gift for contemptuous comedy — the ability to deliver a deduction in a way that makes everyone else in the room look like fools. When Morgan dismantles a suspect’s alibi or exposes a hidden motive, Olson injects enough bite to make predictable dialogue feel fresh.

Without Olson, High Potential would be a routine procedural lost in the shuffle. With her, the show gains a mischievous edge, even if the writing doesn’t fully rise to meet her talents.

Weak Mysteries, Weaker Structure

Unfortunately, the cases themselves are underwhelming. The crimes tackled by the LAPD’s Major Crimes unit are surprisingly low-stakes: a suspicious fire here, a mid-level homicide there. For a division meant to handle serious offenses, the plots often feel like leftovers from other series.

Worse, the solutions lean heavily on Morgan’s encyclopedic trivia knowledge. One week she knows the architectural history of European cathedrals; the next, she recalls obscure naming conventions in Madagascar. It feels less like genius deduction and more like narrative convenience. Over time, the repetition dulls the sense of discovery.

Supporting Cast

Daniel Sunjata’s Detective Karadec is written as the skeptical foil, constantly irritated by Morgan’s interference. While Sunjata is capable, the role gives him little room beyond eye-rolling exasperation. His character needs more nuance to balance Olson’s firecracker energy.

Judy Reyes, playing Morgan’s confidante and fellow cleaner, adds warmth and heart. But like much of the supporting cast, she is underused. Too often, the secondary characters exist only to react to Morgan’s brilliance rather than contributing meaningfully to the cases or overarching story.

Tonal Imbalance

As both a drama and comedy, High Potential struggles to find its footing. Some moments aim for heartfelt emotion, particularly in Morgan’s scenes with her children, while others lean into slapstick humor at the LAPD’s expense. The shifts can be jarring, leaving viewers uncertain of the show’s true identity.

Drew Goddard’s pedigree suggests sharper writing and more daring storytelling, but here the result feels oddly safe, as if the show is afraid to push boundaries or fully embrace its eccentricities.

Potential vs. Reality

The irony of High Potential is that its title perfectly captures the series’ dilemma. The elements are there — an unconventional lead character, a talented star, and the blueprint of a network procedural that could attract loyal viewers. Yet the execution rarely rises above average.

Still, procedurals often find their rhythm over time. Castle and Bones were uneven in their early episodes before evolving into fan favorites. If ABC gives High Potential room to grow, and if the writers lean into Olson’s sharp comedic edge while crafting smarter mysteries, the series could mature into something more satisfying.

Final Verdict

For now, Kaitlin Olson remains the show’s only compelling draw. She elevates mediocre material, turning Morgan into a character worth rooting for even when the cases feel recycled. Her performance alone may be enough to earn the show a trial run with audiences looking for light, personality-driven entertainment.

But without improvements in storytelling and supporting characters, High Potential risks squandering exactly what its title promises.