High Potential Season 2 Episode 9 Recap: “Under the Rug”
- Lance
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
High Potential Season 2, Episode 9, “Under the Rug,” leans hard into its darker themes, delivering an episode that’s as much about Morgan Gillory’s emotional unraveling as it is about the crime itself. By the end of the hour, secrets are exposed, relationships are tested, and Morgan is left visibly changed.
The episode’s central case starts with a suspicious canyon crash, a dead hitman, and a lot of golfballs but Morgan (played by Kaitlin Olson) quickly realizes it’s no accident. As she, Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), and the team dig deeper, the truth comes out: the death is tied to a powerful tech executive who ordered a cover-up to protect his reputation and fortune. The revelation that a hired hitman (who was secretly an undercover fed) was involved confirms what Morgan suspects early on: this was murder, carefully swept under the rug.
THE FEDS ALWAYS END UP HAVING A DIRTY MEMBER IN PROCEDURAL DRAMAS!
Captain Wagner (Steve Howey) authorizes the arrest, but not without hesitation, making his role feel increasingly morally gray. Justice is technically served, but the episode makes it clear that the system only works because Morgan refuses to let the truth stay buried. Speaking of Captain Wagner, Howey’s portrayal of this character continues to impress me; this is outside of his normal over-the-top comedic roles. I find myself going back and forth between the thoughts of “He has feelings for Morgan” and “He wants to get rid of Morgan”. Honestly, that’s what makes his character so intriguing to me; you don’t know what his end game is.
What really defines “Under the Rug” is how personal the case becomes for Morgan. Douglas Newmeyer’s (Keith Carradine) condescending dismissal of her intelligence hits a nerve, reopening wounds tied to her upbringing and her complicated relationship with her father. For once, Morgan’s confidence cracks, and Olson plays these moments with surprising restraint.
Karadec steps up in a big way, offering Morgan quiet support instead of sarcasm or skepticism. Their scenes together hint at deeper trust and possibly deeper feelings without spelling anything out explicitly.
At home, Morgan’s kids, especially Elliot, provide a grounding presence, while Ludo (Taran Killam) continues to be a steady, supportive co-parent. Unlike many procedurals, High Potential avoids messy relationship drama here, instead reinforcing how Morgan’s family is her emotional anchor.
Final Thoughts
“Under the Rug” doesn’t rely on flashy twists. Instead, it delivers weight: exposing corruption, challenging Morgan’s self-image, and pushing her relationships forward. With strong performances from Kaitlin Olson, Daniel Sunjata, and Steve Howey, this episode feels like a turning point heading into the endgame of Season 2.
Short, sharp, and emotionally loaded, Episode 9 proves High Potential is willing to get uncomfortable and that’s exactly why it works.
High Potential airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET and streams the next day on Disney Plus/Hulu.
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