The season finale of High Potential Season 1, “Let’s Play!”, was a thrilling, intense conclusion to a fantastic season that’s somehow flown by. It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it through twelve episodes of Kaitlin Olson’s captivating performance. The good news is that the show has been renewed for a second season, and I’m definitely hoping for more than just 13 episodes next time — this series deserves the space to keep evolving.
The episode begins with an anonymous tip to the LAPD, propelling the team into a unique kidnapping case that keeps us captivated. The tip includes only a photo of a man held hostage accompanied by a cryptic message. The entire premise of the case is intriguing, particularly with the kidnappers employing puzzles and games as clues. It feels like an ideal mix of detective work and mental challenges, making the episode highly engaging.
The team begins by examining Spencer's apartment, where they discover a puzzle at his doorstep accompanied by a note. Morgan excels as usual by solving the puzzle, which leads them to an elevation map of the Hollywood Hills with a missing piece. The puzzle-solving element of this investigation added an enjoyable twist, resembling a scavenger hunt where each clue unveiled something larger. Morgan and Karadec follow the trail, using the missing piece to head towards the Hollywood Hills, and they encounter another game to solve — “Loco Ocho.” I must admit, I was captivated by how they used these games to track down the suspect. It was an ingenious way to maintain high tension while making the case feel both unique and interactive.
However, the puzzle-solving continues. They eventually locate Spencer in a storage facility, providing the team with a brief respite. But things quickly take another turn. Morgan receives a visit from Gio, the last person to see Roman alive, who reveals information about Roman's disappearance, mentioning a woman named Lila Flynn. It's a significant lead, but the team doesn't have time to pursue it immediately because the case takes an even creepier turn when they find a stroller full of baby dolls at the police gala venue. The dolls hold Scrabble tiles spelling out, “The fun has just begun.” That moment definitely gave me chills. The eerie symbolism of the dolls and the kidnapper's methodical communication made the situation even more unsettling.
In an unexpected twist, Oz recognizes Spencer from a grief group he attends. The possibility that the kidnapper might be someone from this group was an intriguing revelation, and I loved that the team promptly decided to investigate further. It added a psychological dimension to the case — the notion that the kidnapper could be hiding in plain sight among those grieving made everything feel more personal and real. As they interview group members, they narrow down their suspect to a man named David, but they also discover another member, Sierra, is missing. The urgency to find her heightens, and I couldn't help but feel the tension build as they pieced together the puzzle. The moment they find Sierra’s apartment in disarray and uncover the hidden message on the wall felt like an “A-ha!” moment where everything finally clicks. The revelation that Sierra is an ASL interpreter and that the dolls communicate through sign language was such a clever twist. It's these small details that make High Potential stand out from other crime procedurals.
Just when the case seemed wild enough, Karadec discovers a crucial lead on Roman's disappearance: Lila Flynn, an undercover FBI agent, was killed 15 years ago, and one of her last investigations involved Roman. This revelation genuinely surprised me. It introduced a completely new perspective to the season-long mystery, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds in the next season. However, before the team can digest this breakthrough, Oz becomes the next victim. He’s attacked in a parking garage, and the team follows another set of clues leading them to a house in Encino, where they find Oz chained at the bottom of a pool. The rescue was tense — just when I thought they were too late, they managed to save him. Still, David remains missing, leaving us with many questions.
Next comes one of the most thrilling moments of the episode: After Oz is safe, Karadec visits Gio, who reveals he’s been assisting Morgan because he knows where Roman is — and he’s alive. This was the moment I had been anticipating all season, and it felt like a huge cliffhanger. I was stunned at the thought that Roman might still be alive, and I’m eager for the answers that will come in the next season. It’s uncommon to feel this engaged in a show’s overarching mystery, but High Potential has done an excellent job of keeping us captivated.
The final moments of the episode introduced even more questions. While Morgan is grocery shopping, a man returns an item that drops from her cart. Upon returning home, she finds a card game in her grocery bag with a note saying, “You’re the one, Morgan. We shall play again. Me and you.” This twist was incredibly unsettling. It made me doubt everything I believed about David Peck — is he truly behind this, or is someone else pulling the strings? David Peck's months-long stay in rehab only adds to the confusion. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to piece everything together.
The episode concludes with Morgan finding out from Karadec that he knows where Roman is and that he’s alive. I’m eagerly anticipating the next season. With the mysteries of the kidnapping case and Roman’s disappearance still unresolved, there are numerous questions to explore. Fortunately, High Potential has already been renewed for a second season, and I’m excited to see how it all develops.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
Comments