JuicyTalk
High Potential season 2 has effectively revived a dying TV trope. Amid the chaos of the 2025-2026 network cycle, ABC has been quietly establishing its place as the prime destination for compelling procedurals. From established projects like The Rookie and 9-1-1 to fairly new ones such as Will Trent, the Disney-owned broadcaster’s latest addition to its roster happens to also be one of the most popular shows in the last couple of years.
Based on the French show, HPI, High Potential was an immediate hit for ABC when it premiered back in the fall of 2024. Kaitlin Olson leads the ensemble, as the high potential individual, Morgan, who starts working with the LAPD as a consultant. Now in its sophomore year, the show has already laid out the foundation of its storytelling, allowing it to delve deeper into its characters. Considering the recent turn of events on the show, High Potential season 2 has effectively brought back a quintessential network TV trend from the dead.
High Potential Season 2 Effectively Brings Back The Will-They/Won’t-They Romance Trope
There were already hints of a possible romantic entanglement between Morgan and Karadec in season 1. ABC dials up the good kind of tension for them in season 2, as now, they know each other better. Both are no longer skeptical of each other, allowing them to have a strong bond that transcends beyond the four walls of the Major Crimes office. The last few episodes of High Potential season 2 increase more indications that both Morgan and Karadec are gradually developing feelings for each other, culminating in their intimate hug in “The Faust and the Furious.”
Morgan and Karadec’s burgeoning romance is unlikely to materialize fully anytime soon. As frustrating as that thought is for those who are itching to see them get together, going down this route is High Potential‘s way to reviving the lost art of the will-they/won’t-they dynamic. Popularized by shows such as Cheers, NCIS, and Bones, among others, there’s actually no active couple at this stage in the current network TV cycle. Either the pairings have already had their respective payoffs, or their stories just aren’t being tackled.
As examples, The Rookie’s Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford just recently ended another cycle of will-they/won’t-they, following their last break-up. Meanwhile, Tony DiNozzo Jr. and Ziva David are now officially back together at the end of NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Over at NBC, Law & Order: SVU has put its efforts to payoff Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler’s long-drawn dynamic on hiatus. High Potential is giving viewers who like their characters yearning for each other.
Why The Will-They/Won’t-They Trend Is Dying On TV
The will-they/won’t-they trend is most effective on network TV for one particular reason — more episodes. In light of the rise of streaming popularity, platforms and even traditional studios have been commissioning shows to go directly to these services instead of old-school broadcasting. There are many benefits to this new approach, but there are also drawbacks, including how seasons have started to shrink in terms of output. Network shows usually get 18–24 episodes, with a guaranteed return annually, assuming that a project is renewed. Meanwhile, streaming shows now only produce 6–10 episodes without any assurance of coming back next year.
Streaming’s new model makes it incredibly difficult to do slow-burn storytelling, let alone a will-they/won’t-they romance. Effectively executing it requires time and build-up, otherwise, it wouldn’t feel earned, which is one of the biggest rewards of following such stories. Sure, time-jumps can give the illusion of a long-drawn-out love affair, but nothing beats seeing it play out in real time, which High Potential has the chance to do.
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