Sometimes, a first impression is all you get. In this new series of reviews, I will be looking at some of the latest series released on streaming services (as well as ones that have gone under the radar), watching their first episodes to determine whether they’re worth your time and, more importantly, whether they make a good first impression.

Starting the series off with a title from a crowded field, my first “first impression” will look at High Potential.

New from ABC’s fall lineup, High Potential is an American cop procedural focusing on the investigations of Morgan Gillory, a “high potential intellectual” whose brilliant mind finds her a place helping the LAPD solve their toughest cases.

When creating a show in such a crowded field, like cop dramas, it takes a lot to stand out. Crime procedurals are a dime a dozen, after all, with big hitters around every corner and new shows coming in every season. Even before the show begins, however, ABC’s latest whodunnit has strong foundations that give it a leg up.

For starters, the series is closely adapted from the original French show “Haut Potentiel Intellectuel.” This is good news, as the original series is highly successful, having already released four seasons. Secondly, the series cast Kaitlin Olsen as the protagonist. Her work on shows such as It’s Always Sunny and The Mick has been nothing short of stellar.

As for the show itself, it manages to put its star power to good use. Olsen’s portrayal of Morgan Gillory is immediately noticeable. From the very first episode, she shows herself to be able to quickly fit into the role, bringing a unique energy that translates well onto a single mother with high intelligence juggling a new career and a chaotic family life.

As a consultant for the LAPD, Morgan is tasked with solving good, albeit generic, whodunits, which include twists only she can figure out and aids with which she can use to solve the episode’s Gillory family issue.

Morgan isn’t alone in solving these cases; she’s also joined by a group of major crimes detectives. Chief among them is Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), Gillory’s main point of contact and the yin to her yang. Their at-loggerheads attitude towards each other makes for a nice side segment and also as a way of getting their creative juices flowing. The only issue with their partnership is it frequently gets in the way of character development for some of the other detectives at the precinct.

These opening episodes also manage to naturally weave Gillory’s defining trait as a “high potential intellectual.” Through the first couple of episodes, the series makes a point to show that being a genius has its disadvantages. Constantly noticing small details and having a mind that runs a mile a minute has led Morgan to make more than one self-destructive choice, but her new job working to solve cases helps by always having something to focus on.

In a sea of choices for detective dramas, High Potential’s opening episodes successfully manage to leave a lasting impression. Star power isn’t the only thing this series is bringing to the table, as it creates an engaging roster of investigations as well as a balanced focus on Gillory’s home life and past destructive behaviours. This is a show well worth more than just a passing glance.

I Give High Potential: 8/10