Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson) might not be a cop, but she’s incredibly skilled at solving crimes in ABC’s new drama High Potential. The single mother of three is working as a night cleaner at a police station when she happens to glance at some crime scene photos. She notices discrepancies in a case involving a man who was murdered in his home. The police claim the wife did it and is on the run, but Morgan realizes that the woman is actually another victim, not the suspect. Morgan casually makes an edit to the “murder board,” but the police haul her in, thinking she was just trying to create chaos. Right away, Morgan is able to point out several things that investigators missed (or misunderstood) while looking into the murder. Lieutenant Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) is immediately impressed with Morgan’s powers of deduction (especially since she’s a mere civilian), even though Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) is less amused by someone interfering in his case.
Soto hires Morgan as a consultant on the case (which perfectly sets up the premise for the show). Karadec isn’t happy with this development, but Soto can see that there’s something incredibly special about the way Morgan’s mind works. When she pushes Morgan to explain how she was able to so easily locate various clues, Morgan explains that she has been diagnosed as someone who has “high intellectual potential.” But is this condition actually something that exists in real life? And how will this diagnosis impact Morgan’s ability to solve crimes? High Potential, based on a French series called HPI or Haut Potentiel Intellectuel that began airing in 2021, has now raised plenty of questions regarding Morgan’s brilliant mind.
The ‘High Potential’ Diagnosis Is a Real Condition
Morgan’s condition is not just a plot device for television but is actually a real-life diagnosis. The term is generally used to describe people with an above-average intellectual ability (or an IQ over 130). Morgan lists her IQ at 160 (which would land her firmly in the genius or exceptionally gifted category), while most people fall somewhere within average intelligence with an IQ score between 85 and 114. This means that people who have HIP are generally in the top 2.3 percent of the population when it comes to intelligence. They typically have impressive cognitive skills, such as photographic memory, increased logic, and better visual-spatial skills. Individuals with HIP are also extremely curious and tend to problem-solve in a more creative way.
Some people with HIP also have a subset diagnosis of High Emotional Potential (HEP). This refers to superior emotional intelligence. People with HEP can exhibit empathy towards others. They also have emotional hypersensitivity and can easily pick up on how other people feel. Some individuals are also hypersensitive to their environment. Not everyone with HIP has HEP traits, but it does seem like Morgan does. She’s eager to help police solve cases because she feels compassion towards those involved in investigations. Because of Morgan’s HEP traits, she becomes a protagonist with both intelligence and empathy.
People with HIP or HEP don’t necessarily require specific diagnoses or treatments; many are labeled during childhood when it’s clear their brains function differently from peers. Young children with HIP often find traditional schooling unchallenging (leading some to fail or drop out). Those diagnosed with HIP can thrive in various careers ranging from IT professions to art and science fields. This neurodivergence can lead to high-functioning lives filled with success.
Morgan’s ‘High Potential’ Condition Will Help Her Solve Lots of Crimes
A stereotype exists suggesting individuals living with HIP face numerous mental health challenges or tend toward isolation. For writers of High Potential, they amplify this notion through Morgan’s character. She confides in Soto that her mind often feels more like a curse than a gift. She exhibits obsessive tendencies (common among those with HIP) making it difficult to turn her thoughts off. This struggle affects her relationships and job stability. While evidence doesn’t conclusively show those with HIP experience more mental health issues than average intelligence individuals,it makes sense narratively to depict Morgan’s abilities as obstacles.
The show will certainly include fictional elements regarding Morgan’s condition; however integrating real-life HIP diagnosis enhances its intrigue. The series may also raise awareness around neurodivergence types like HIP; this positive representation matters in media today. Although Morgan may not yet appreciate her brain as an asset; her future cases will likely help her recognize her true potential while showcasing how her unique intelligence aids in fighting crime.
The latest episodes of High Potential air on ABC Tuesday nights and stream next day on Hulu.
