High Potential Deviates From Its Set Path For Better AND Worse

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for episode 15, “Pie in the Sky,” of High Potential season 2. High Potential season 2 is taking the story in a new direction, and while this change has some benefits, it also presents challenges. The series, inspired by the French show HPI, follows Morgan as she continues her work as a consultant with the LAPD’s Major Crimes unit. Throughout the show so far, Morgan has demonstrated her value and earned the full support of her team. Like most crime shows, High Potential also features a larger, ongoing storyline that runs alongside the individual cases.

The biggest puzzle in High Potential is what happened to Roman. He vanished almost twenty years ago – Morgan’s ex-partner and Ava’s father – leaving behind a new package of diapers in his car. As part of an agreement with the LAPD, Morgan is getting their help to solve the case, with new clues emerging each week. However, as more of Roman’s story comes to light, it’s becoming clear that the show is handling the mystery differently than it did with High Potential Investigations.

High Potential Is Breaking Away From HPI’s Established Roman Story

Credit: ABC/MovieStillsDB

As Detective Soto investigated further, it became clear that Roman hadn’t abandoned Morgan and Ava on purpose. He was kidnapped, though the exact circumstances are still unclear. Investigators believe this is connected to his secret work as an FBI informant, which brings Willa Quinn, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, into the story.

In the season 2 finale of High Potential, titled “Pie in the Sky,” a woman suspected of involvement in Roman’s disappearance confronts Morgan and the Major Crimes team in Los Angeles after tracking Soto from New York. The episode concludes there, but it’s evident that High Potential is handling the mystery of Roman’s fate in a unique way.

On HPI, Roman purposely abandoned Morgan and Ava to protect them after a casino scam put his life at risk. Everyone thought he had died, but the French version of the show later revealed he’d simply relocated and built a new life with a wife and children. Given how complex Roman’s circumstances are in High Potential, it’s likely the details of what happened will be very different from what viewers originally saw.

Why High Potential’s Roman’s Story Is Better & Worse For Morgan & The Show

ABC (via MoviesStillDb)

With so many shows based on existing stories, it’s not unusual for High Potential to differ from the original French series, HPI. However, this specific change in the ABC adaptation has both advantages and disadvantages. Primarily, by adding their own unique twist to the central mystery, High Potential can keep viewers guessing about how the story will unfold.

Viewers familiar with HPI will be intrigued by this story, as they’re unsure where the show is heading with this particular plotline. Exploring this will add depth to the entire franchise, giving audiences different perspectives on the Roman storyline.

However, framing Roman’s disappearance as a true tragedy could make it harder for Morgan and Ava to find closure. It would be simpler for them to cope if they learned Roman was responsible for his own fate, rather than believing he was lost while trying to help others.

If he turns out to be alive and wants to reconnect with his family, it will create a complex situation. Even if he deeply loves them, years have been lost, and rebuilding their relationships won’t be easy. Plus, it could complicate the developing romance between Morgan and Karadec if this situation unfolds.

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2026-03-18 15:09