Editor’s word: The beneath comprises spoilers for Excessive Potential Episode 7.

After solely seven episodes, Excessive Potential has already carved out a spot for itself as a uniquely comedic procedural. Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson) is a very hilarious principal character, and he or she is all the time cracking jokes whereas fixing instances with the LAPD main crimes unit. Nevertheless, the midseason finale, “Certainly one of Us,” takes a break from the comedy for essentially the most half. As Morgan and her daughter, Ava (Amirah J), get caught in a hostage scenario on the station, it makes for an intense and nail-biting forty-five minutes of tv.

Excessive Potential‘s typical construction follows a homicide occurring originally of the episode. Morgan and her associate, Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) spend the entire episode investigating the case, earlier than realizing that the killer was proper underneath their noses the entire time. The newest episode begins with a witness discovering a lifeless physique, however that is the place the similarities finish. Morgan has a break day from work, however her daughter Ava is benefiting from a “Sure Day,” the place Morgan has to let her do any exercise that she needs. This sends the 2 of them into the workplace, however former navy sergeants with a bomb take the place hostage. This construction is a change of tempo for Excessive Potential, however it additionally makes for the perfect episode of the present but.

‘Excessive Potential’s Break in Construction Works Effectively for the Present

“Certainly one of Us” is Excessive Potential‘s finest episode but, primarily as a result of it heightens the stakes of the present. The homicide originally of the episode will get blamed on a former member of the U.S. navy, so two of his fellow former sergeants are decided to show his innocence. They take the bullpen hostage and place a field with a bomb within the room, insisting that the most important crimes unit has to search out the true killer and show their buddy’s innocence. Together with Morgan and Ava, Daphne (Javicia Leslie), Tom (JD Pardo), and Lieutenant Melon (Garret Dillahunt) are additionally trapped within the bullpen.

From exterior in a stakeout van, a gaggle from the LAPD, together with Karadec and Lieutenant Selena Soto (Judy Reyes), attempt to assist clear up the case. All of it provides as much as Excessive Potential‘s most intense episode, abandoning the present’s extra comedic parts as Morgan fears for the lifetime of her daughter, herself, and her coworkers. The stress of the bomb makes it so that each motion feels prefer it may get the folks there killed. In fact, it seems that the bomb was faux the entire time, and everyone makes it out alive, with Morgan determining the thriller and discovering the true killer within the course of.

‘Excessive Potential’ Continues to Heart its Characters’ Relationships

What makes Excessive Potential stand out from different procedurals is the way it facilities its characters. Every episode has a homicide thriller, however the characters and their relationship growth come first. “Certainly one of Us” continues to do that, even with an intense and harmful hostage scenario driving the story. Daphne comforts Ava and helps Morgan maintain her whereas they’re being held hostage collectively. Karadec, who’s all the time a rule-follower, insists on pushing again on recommendation from his superiors with a purpose to hold Morgan protected. Selena goes in opposition to what she thinks is finest as a result of she is prepared to belief Karadec and the way a lot he cares about Morgan.

Morgan initially began her new job on Excessive Potential as a really clever individual with no expertise on this area and many individuals to show mistaken. Now, she has all of those coworkers who care about her, in addition to a powerful partnership with Karadec, who understands the code phrases and indicators that she makes use of whereas being held hostage. She has an important boss-employee relationship with Selena, and budding friendships with Daphne and Oz (Deniz Akdeniz). On the finish of this episode, Morgan even will get rewarded with a desk, cementing her place on the LAPD — and it is a well-deserved promotion that could not have occurred with out Excessive Potential‘s willingness to interrupt its beforehand established system.

Excessive Potential can be again with the second half of its first season on Tuesday, January 7 on ABC. Within the meantime, it’s accessible to stream on Hulu.

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