High Potential broke many viewership records as many were intrigued by Kaitlin Olson's Morgan Gillory, a high potential intellectual (HPI) who becomes a consultant for the LAPD when she helps them solve a case using her special and unorthodox skills.

High Potential is expected to return with season 2 in the fall of 2025 as a part of ABC's 2025–2026 TV schedule.

Throughout High Potential season 1's episodes, Morgan helps the LAPD solve numerous crimes with her HPI abilities. However, she doesn't figure out who the finale's villain truly is, although she unknowingly runs into him towards the end of High Potential season 1. The characters don't know his real name, as they previously thought someone named David was the perpetrator. In actuality, the game-loving antagonist is played by David Giuntoli. He slyly drops a game into Morgan's grocery bags in the parking lot, and a note on it reads, "You're the one, Morgan. We shall play again. Me and you."

High Potential's "David" Is Morgan's Brother Theory Explained

Some Believe The New Villain Is Actually Morgan's Sibling

David Giuntoli in High Potential season 1 finale

Given that his face isn't revealed until the very end of the High Potential season 1 finale, not much is known about David Giuntoli's villain. So, the only thing anyone can do while waiting for season 2 is to speculate about "David's" identity. One of the more popular theories concerning the new character is that he is Morgan's secret brother.

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Every High Potential Season 1 Case, Ranked

High Potential season 1 was a masterful pilot showing, but the crime procedural's thirteen episodic cases varied in mystery and excitement.

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As first postulated by TVLine, "David" could be Morgan's long-lost brother. If this is true, Morgan is somehow unaware of his existence. She never mentions having siblings in High Potential, and she doesn't recognize "David" in the grocery store parking lot. Nevertheless, many clues suggest that the villain is Morgan's brother. She suspiciously and somewhat randomly opens up about her strict father (who also has HPI) with Karadec in the finale. Plus, during Morgan's run-in with "David," he mentions that pot pies were his favorite as a kid. The antagonist's fixation on Morgan is also suspicious, suggesting he knows her.

Morgan Not Recognizing Her Own Brother Would Be Her Biggest Weakness Yet

Kaitlin Olson's Character Is Known For Her Intellect

If "David" truly is Morgan's sibling, her not recognizing him in the High Potential season 1 finale is quite peculiar. The ABC crime drama TV series is centered around Morgan's status as an HPI, after all. Given her high intellect, one would think that Kaitlin Olson's character would her own brother.

High Potential Cast

Role

Kaitlin Olson

Morgan Gillory

Daniel Sunjata

Adam Karadec

Javicia Leslie

Daphne Forrester

Deniz Akdeniz

Lev "Oz" Ozdil

Amirah J

Ava Sinquerra

Matthew Lamb

Elliot Radovic

Judy Reyes

Selena Soto

Taran Killam

Ludo Radovic

JD Pardo

Tom

Garret Dillahunt

Lieutenant Melon

High Potential because of her high intelligence and huge heart. If "David" is Morgan's sibling, though, her not recognizing or ing him would be her Achilles heel in the police procedural show. Maybe her childhood memory is substandard, even though she is an HPI. However, various explanations can for Morgan's unfamiliarity with David Giuntoli's character's face (if he is related to her).

Why Morgan Might Not Her Own Brother In High Potential

"David" Could Be Morgan's Half-Brother

When taking Morgan's history in High Potential into , it's highly unlikely that she would simply forget a brother who grew up alongside her throughout her childhood. One specific reason could explain how this might be possible, though. Perhaps Morgan experienced a traumatic event when she was younger that resulted in her brain blocking out parts of her upbringing to cope, like the existence of a sibling. Even Morgan is susceptible to dissociative amnesia.

David Giuntoli's villain might have grown up separately from Morgan, with whichever parent they don't share, explaining why she doesn't recognize him in the season 1 finale.

However, one other explanation can negate Morgan's weakness regarding potentially forgetting her brother in High Potential. It's possible that Morgan never even met him prior to their parking lot run-in. "David" could easily be Morgan's half-brother she was never made aware of as a child or as an adult. David Giuntoli's villain might have grown up separately from Morgan, with whichever parent they don't share, explaining why she doesn't recognize him in the season 1 finale. Whatever the case, fans must wait until the premiere of High Potential season 2 to learn the truth.

High Potential (2024)

Your Rating

High Potential
Release Date
September 17, 2024
Network
ABC

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Creator(s)
Drew Goddard

Source: TVLine