ABC Effectively Revives A Dying TV Trope With High Potential

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Season 2 of High Potential has brought a fresh take to a familiar TV format. Despite a crowded television landscape, ABC is becoming known for its engaging procedural dramas. Along with popular shows like The Rookie and 9-1-1, and newer hits such as Will Trent, High Potential has quickly become one of the network’s most-watched programs.

Inspired by the French series HPI, High Potential quickly became a popular show for ABC when it first aired in fall 2024. Kaitlin Olson stars as Morgan, a brilliant woman who begins working as a consultant for the LAPD. Now in its second season, the show has established its core stories and characters, allowing it to explore them more fully. With recent developments in the plot, High Potential season 2 has successfully revived a classic style of network television storytelling.

High Potential Season 2 Effectively Brings Back The Will-They/Won’t-They Romance Trope

Season 1 hinted at a possible romance between Morgan and Karadec, and Season 2 really builds on that connection. Now that they know each other better and trust each other, their bond goes beyond just being coworkers. The final episodes of High Potential season 2 show growing feelings between them, reaching a peak with their heartfelt hug in “The Faust and the Furious.”

Don’t expect Morgan and Karadec to become a couple quickly. While fans are eager to see them together, the show is intentionally building tension, a classic storytelling technique seen in shows like Cheers, NCIS, and Bones. These days, it’s rare to see a TV show focus on the will-they/won’t-they dynamic – most couples have either already gotten together, or their potential romance isn’t being explored at all.

As a big TV fan, I’ve been following a few interesting relationship arcs lately. Just when I thought Lucy and Tim from The Rookie were done with their on-again, off-again thing, they went through another breakup! And it was so satisfying to finally see Tony and Ziva from NCIS get back together in the recent NCIS: Tony & Ziva episodes. Though, over on Law & Order: SVU, they seem to have paused the payoff of Benson and Stabler’s complicated history for now. If you enjoy a good slow-burn romance, High Potential is definitely delivering that kind of tension right now.

Why The Will-They/Won’t-They Trend Is Dying On TV

©ABC/Disney/ Courtesy MovieStillsDB

The classic ‘will they/won’t they’ dynamic works best on network television because those shows have many episodes. While streaming services are becoming more popular and studios are creating shows specifically for them, this shift has a downside: shorter seasons. Traditional network shows typically have 18 to 24 episodes per season and are usually renewed each year. Streaming shows, however, often only have 6 to 10 episodes, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be back for another season.

The current way streaming shows are made makes it hard to tell stories that unfold gradually, especially romantic ones. These kinds of stories need time to develop and feel authentic—that’s what makes following them so satisfying. While shows can use flashbacks to seem like a relationship is developing over time, it’s much more impactful to watch it happen in the moment, and that’s what High Potential has the opportunity to deliver.

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2026-02-18 16:38