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High Potential’s Roman mystery has taken a drastic turn, but the twist cliffhanger was cleverly hidden in plain sight for months. Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillory has made High Potential akin to a classic detective show— but successfully modernized via her stylized wardrobe, witty dialogue, and refreshingly grounded characterization. Alas, the genius High Potential protagonist had major skeletons in her closet.
Throughout the hit ABC procedural’s pilot season, Morgan was haunted by the unsolved disappearance of her ex, Roman. Aside from being the father of her eldest child, Ava (Amirah J), Roman was Morgan’s first love who vanished without a trace 15 years prior to the series. Yet, in the High Potential season 1 finale, Morgan learns Roman is still alive.
High Potential Episode 3 Included Roman’s Phoenix Mural
Despite spending a decade in the dark, Morgan never gave up her search for Roman— or, at least, the truth. In exchange for her consulting the LAPD, Morgan struck a deal with Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) in High Potential’s first episode: Roman’s case would be reopened and seriously investigated. Selena readily accepted, despite it appearing to be an open-and-shut abandonment.
True to her word, Selena begins covertly looking into what happened to Roman in High Potential, and her work pays off in episode 3. After discovering a citation Lieutenant Melon (Garret Dillahunt) wrote shortly before Roman’s departure, Selena tracks down the location, finding remnants of a mural depicting a phoenix. Allegedly, it was the final piece Roman painted before disappearing.
The cliffhanger ending of High Potential season 1, episode 13 depended on shock value, since most characters believed Roman would likely be deceased after 15 years of silence. However, the phoenix mural was a symbol of hope hiding in plain sight. Just as a phoenix rises from the ashes, Roman rose from his presumed death in the season 1 finale.
What Roman’s Connection To The Phoenix Means For High Potential Season 2
The phoenix mural may have given away the finale cliffhanger, but there may be more significance for Roman’s storyline in High Potential season 2. Since the phoenix represents rebirth and immortality, Roman may have plot armor in the drama’s upcoming sophomore year; danger is almost certain, but death may not be in the cards for Roman.
Furthermore, the importance of fire to the symbol of the phoenix matches the shirt Morgan wore when she heard the news (a graphic tee with the phrase “playing with fire”). Regardless of why Roman left, returning to Morgan and Ava’s lives won’t be an easy transition. Consequently, High Potential season 2 might be Roman’s trial by fire— perhaps even literally.
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