A classic style of television is experiencing a revival, boosted by the success of a new crime thriller on ABC. How people watch TV has changed a lot in recent years, with streaming services becoming increasingly popular and lessening interest in traditional network shows. However, despite often being ignored, some network programs are still finding an audience with engaging weekly storylines, overall plots, and memorable characters.
Premiering in 2024, High Potential quickly became a hit, ranking among the most popular new shows of the year. Starring Kaitlin Olson, known from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, the series follows Morgan, a remarkably intelligent cleaning lady who becomes a police consultant in Los Angeles. Though her unconventional background initially met with skepticism, she quickly proved her worth. In its second season, ABC further developed the show’s success by embracing a classic television storytelling technique.
High Potential Brings Back Odd Pairing Procedurals That Dominated The 2000s & 2010s
Procedural dramas have consistently performed well on network television, with shows like NCIS and Law & Order: SVU remaining popular for many years. What sets High Potential apart is its use of the ‘odd couple’ pairing – a storytelling technique that was common in shows like Bones, Castle, White Collar, and Psych in the late 2000s and 2010s. These shows often featured serious and complex cases, but the contrasting personalities of the main characters provided a good balance. The key was pairing characters who came from very different backgrounds and perspectives.
Many older crime shows, like The X-Files or Miami Vice, often paired a law enforcement officer with someone outside the system, and these duos surprisingly worked well together. This focus on a single partnership has become less common recently, as most modern crime procedurals feature large teams where many characters interact. Shows like ABC’s The Rookie and Will Trent, and the FBI and Chicago PD franchises, all rely on this ensemble approach. While High Potential also uses a team dynamic, it uniquely centers on the connection between Morgan and Karadec. The show follows a classic formula by exploring not only their working relationship but also a developing romantic connection, adding an extra layer to their story.
The popularity of High Potential, both with critics and viewers, demonstrates how often procedural shows with unusual pairings fall short. ABC has already renewed the series for a third season, giving the show more time to explore the relationship between Morgan and Karadec. Hopefully, its success will inspire other shows to try a similar format.
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2026-04-16 20:11