High Potentialmade its highly-anticipated return with episode 8, but it spelled trouble for a romance that only just started. Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) made waves in the first seven episodes with her unique style, sense of humor, and unexpectedly deep motivations. Her performance alone is enough of areason to watchHigh Potential, but Morgan’s interpersonal relationships are just as captivating. When Tom (JD Pardo) appeared in episode 6 (“Hangover”), it was unclear if he would be a serious love interest or just a flirt. By the end of the episode,Morgan wrote her number on the door for Tom.
Their flirtation carried over to episode 7 (“One of Us”), where Tom asked her out more formally. Before the two could make good on it, a hostage situation broke out andTom was shot in theHigh Potentialmidseason finale.He made it clear to Morgan that he still wanted to see her, even from a hospital bed. While many signs point to Morgan and Daniel Sunjata’s Karadec having a slow-burn romance,High Potentialseason 2is still unconfirmed. Consequently, whatever relationship status Morgan ends the pilot season with might be permanent if ABC somehow doesn’t renew its hit procedural.
Morgan Ignores Tom & Opts To Work With Karadec Instead
The first scene ofHigh Potential’s midseason premiere (“Obsessed”) wasted no time pointing out a key flaw in Morgan and Tom’s romance: Morgan doesn’t have the time to commit. Between being a mother and an LAPD consultant, she’s stretched fairly thin already. After getting wrapped up in a new case, Morgan’s phone lights up.Instead of answering Tom’s text, she heads to Karadec’s apartment.The two work the case intimately, with Morgan even crashing on the couch.High Potentialcould be aTV show with consistent romance subplotsif Morgan and Karadec continue bonding.
Morgan Needs To Date Tom For Karadec’s Sake In High Potential
If Morgan Gillory and Detective Karadec have any romantic future in High Potential, new love interest Tom needs to be properly utilized.
While many debatewhetherHigh Potential’s Morgan would be better with Karadec or Tom, the answer is complicated. Morgan would likely rather choose her work over a relationship anyway, and it just so happens that Karadec comes along with her job. Yet, she seems sincere about exploring her potential with Tom. With the procedural in its pilot season, she should have ample time to think before making any decisions.High Potential’s midseason premiere ratingsshould earn another season, at least, and open up the door for more romantic development.
Selena Interrupts Tom & Morgan’s Dinner Date
Roman’s Mystery Is Still Unsolved
Though Morgan and Tom eventually have a date, it’s not the perfect night off they anticipated. Even as they toast to a new relationship, a work call once again interrupts them. Rather than a new case, Selena (Judy Reyes) calls Morgan in to discuss an old one: the disappearance of her ex-husband, Roman Sinquerra.What happened to Roman inHigh Potentialhas been an underlying mystery of the first season, but not many developments have been made up to episode 8. However, Morgan quickly abandons the date to meet her becauseSelena found a potential lead for Roman’s case.
Matthew Lamb
Elliot
Regardless of the revelations Selena will find in the coming episodes, not knowing what happened to her husband 15 years ago is something that haunts not only Morgan but her daughter, Ava (Amirah J). With the uncertainty looming in the background, it would be impossible for Morgan to fully commit to a new relationship, even if she has fully moved on from Roman romantically. Morgan has already shown that concern for her daughter can trump everything else, and that could easily extend to her romance or necessary lack thereof while they learn the truth about Roman.
Tom & Morgan Are Adorable, But Can Their Relationship Actually Work?
Attraction Isn’t A Good Enough Foundation
Morgan deserves someone like Tom who can keep up with her banter and be upfront about his feelings, but their relationship must be temporary if it’s going to exist at all. Tom may have reassured her that his life is just as chaotic and messy as hers, but that doesn’t mean they should be together. In fact, two people going through sudden and emotional changes would make a terrible couple without a stable foundation. The two make a cute pair, but life will get in the way too much and prevent them from being anything other than short-term.
…Even ifHigh Potentialgives Morgan a different partner thanHPI, it’s unlikely that Tom will be it.
French predecessorHPImight spoil Morgan’sHigh Potentialromance, but there’s still a chance that the drama takes creative liberties and explores other options. Unfortunately, even ifHigh Potentialgives Morgan a different partner thanHPI, it’s unlikely that Tom will be it. A relationship between the two would serve a narrative function, but it would come to an end once its use has run out. Luckily forHigh Potential,Morgan doesn’t need a romantic partnerto be interesting; her masterful deduction, clever quips, and fashionable outfits are just as eye-catching whether she’s single or dating.
High Potentialcontinues Tuesday, 9 ET on ABC.
High Potential
Morgan, a single mother of three with a brilliant but unconventional mind, partners with a methodical detective after solving a crime during her job as a cleaner. Together, they form an unlikely but effective duo, blending her unique problem-solving skills with his by-the-book approach to tackle challenging cases.
