Chicago P.D.‘s Jesse Lee Soffer makes his debut as a new series regular on CBS’s FBI: International season four episode one. Soffer’s subbing in as the leader of the team following the departure of Luke Kleintank who played Special Agent Scott Forrester. But while Kleintank’s Forrester is gone, the team’s Giant Schnauzer, Tank, is sticking around for the new season.
Season four episode one, “A Leader, Not a Tourist” was directed by Michael Katleman from a script by Matt Olmstead. “A Leader, Not a Tourist” airs on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT.
Jesse Lee Soffer stars as Supervisory Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell, Carter Redwood plays Special Agent Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto is Special Agent Cameron Vo, Eva-Jane Willis is Europol Agent Megan “Smitty” Garretson, and Christina Wolfe plays Special Agent Amanda Tate.
“A Leader, Not a Tourist” Plot: The Fly Team is introduced to Supervisory Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell (Soffer) when his partner is shot in Los Angeles and the suspects flee to Budapest, sending Mitchell overseas, on the fourth season premiere.
FBI: International is the third iteration of the successful FBI brand that follows the elite operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Fly Team. Headquartered in Budapest, they travel throughout Europe with the mission of tracking and neutralizing threats against American citizens wherever they may be, putting their lives on the line to protect the U.S. and its people. Newly embedded to the Fly Team is charming and rakish Supervisory Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell, whose impeccable instincts and unconventional tactics deepen his drive to stop at nothing to achieve justice.
Special Agent Andre Raines shines in the field and makes good use of his accounting background in tracking criminal enterprises’ moving money. Special Agent Cameron Vo, a competitive West Point grad, excels at interrogation and strategy and Megan “Smitty” Garretson, a streetwise Europol agent with an extensive undercover background, uses her expertise to liaise with each host country they inhabit. Special Agent Amanda Tate, a confident and tech-savvy intel analyst, stays quick on her feet and remains calm in the midst of chaos. Always at the scene where American interests are at risk, FBI: International is a globe-trotting depiction of law enforcement overseas.
Jean Smart and Jelly Roll set for the ‘SNL’ season 50 premiere
NBC’s Saturday Night Live returns for season 50…just let that sink in a minute…on September 28, 2024. The new season of SNL will kick off with Jean Smart, hot off her third Emmy win for HBO’s Hacks, as host. The September 28th episode will mark Smart’s first time handling the hosting gig.
It’ll be a night of newbies as Jelly Roll’s been tapped to make his SNL debut as musical guest. The episode will air just two weeks prior to the release of his new album, Beautifully Broken.
Comedian Nate Bargatze is scheduled to host the October 5th episode, with Coldplay joining him as musical guest. The October 5th spot will allow Bargatze to redeem himself after absolutely bombing his monologue when he hosted the October 23, 2023 episode.
Coldplay is used to the Studio 8H stage and will be making their eighth appearance ahead of dropping their 10th studio album, Moon Music.
Grammy winner Ariana Grande is handling the October 12th episode as host, but not as musical guest. That honor falls to two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks, who’s returning to SNL for the second time. (Her first appearance was way back in 1983.) Grande has the big-screen musical adaptation of Wicked hitting theaters on November 22nd.
Oscar nominee Michael Keaton (Birdman) is making his fourth appearance as host on October 19th. Keaton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened in theaters on September 6th and has already grossed more than $270 million worldwide. He has Goodrich from writer/director Hallie Meyers-Shyer opening in theaters on October 18th.
Grammy winner Billie Eilish will join Michael Keaton on the October 19th episode, marking her fourth time as musical guest.
The November 2nd episode has John Mulaney on board as host and Chappell Roan as the musical guest. Mulaney’s an SNL fan favorite who’ll be making his sixth appearance as host. Chappell Roan will make her debut as musical guest. Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess has been in Billboard 200’s Top 5 for nine weeks.
Discovery Channel’s set an October 9, 2024 premiere for season 14 of Expedition Unknown. The new season, once again hosted by Josh Gates, debuts with a special two-part premiere airing at 9pm ET/PT.
“Within these walls lies one of the Wonders of the World. For the first time ever we’re being given exclusive access to excavate beneath it. Get ready to explore the city and the secrets of Petra,” says Gates in the season 14 trailer.
Discovery Channel offers this description of the series and season 14’s premiere:
“Intrigued by legendary mysteries and driven by insatiable curiosity, seasoned explorer Josh Gates investigates the world’s most iconic unsolved events, and hunts for lost cities, buried treasures, and sacred artifacts. Leaving no stone unturned, Josh’s adventures take him around the globe and into dangerous situations as he uncovers the truth behind enduring mysteries. Using his background in archaeology and unique sense of humor, Josh brings a new understanding of age-old stories.
In the two-part season premiere, Josh Gates travels to the ancient city of Petra, Jordan to learn how a mysterious desert civilization created one of the Seven Wonders of the World. With unprecedented permission to dig in front of the iconic Treasury building, he hunts for clues about the enigmatic Nabatean kingdom and helps rewrite history books with the discovery of an ancient tomb.”
Poster for ‘Expedition Unknown’ season 14 (Photo Credit: Discovery Channel)
Dorothy Farinelli (Jamie Lee Curtis), Kay Scarpetta (Nicole Kidman), and Benton Wesley (Simon Baker) in ‘Scarpetta’ – Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Amazon MGM Studios
Oscar and Emmy winners Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) and Jamie Lee Curtis (The Bear) have committed to starring in Prime Video’s Scarpetta, based on Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling novels. Both Kidman and Curtis will also be involved as executive producers. Prime Video’s banking on the series being a hit, ordering two seasons before shooting even gets underway.
Emmy nominee Liz Sarnoff (Barry) is on board to write, executive producer, and serve as showrunner. David Gordon Green (Halloween) will direct the first two episodes.
“I have wanted to bring Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta to a screen, with my company, Comet Pictures, for a while. I’m particularly excited that Nicole Kidman will finally bring her to life. I’m also looking forward to playing Nicole’s sister as we tell the story with Liz Sarnoff’s expert care, leadership, skill, and talent, and I am excited to work again with David as our director,” stated Jamie Lee Curtis. “I know the ardent fans of the books will be very happy, and the new audience will be compelled by the characters, crimes, and mysteries that are the trifecta of Patricia’s masterful storytelling. Blumhouse, Blossom, and Prime Video are the perfect partners to bring Scarpetta to you, and a warning……..there WILL be BLOOD.”
Commenting on the announcement, Nicole Kidman said, “I’ve been pursuing Scarpetta for nearly twenty years going back to when it was intended to be a feature, so to unite with the formidable Jamie Lee Curtis, Prime Video, Jason Blum, and David Gordon Green on the Liz Sarnoff series version of Patricia Cornwell’s epic and thrilling books feels like it was meant to be. I cannot wait to inhabit Kay Scarpetta and am so thankful to Patricia Cornwell for entrusting me with her.”
Additional cast includes Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, and Jake Cannavale as series regulars.
“I’m beyond excited that this is finally happening. This will be great fun for all, and I’m grateful for the immense talent that the show is drawing. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman. Their wanting to do this is humbling and simply awesome. Working with the brilliant Liz Sarnoff is amazing. Blumhouse and Prime Video are a dream. This has been worth waiting for, and I’m so looking forward to the show,” said Cornwell.
Cornwell will executive produce for P & S Projects along with Amy Sayres, David Gordon Green, Blossom Films’ Per Saari, and Blumhouse Television’s Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, and Chris McCumber. The series is produced by Blumhouse Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with Blossom Films and Comet Pictures.
“Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta has enraptured fans for decades and I am honored that Prime Video is entrusted to bring the series to screen for our global customers,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios. “The most exemplary group has been assembled for the series with Liz Sarnoff at the helm with an extraordinary vision; the immensely talented Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the fantastic cast; and the top-notch team at Blumhouse.”
Prime Video offered this description of the new series:
“The mystery thriller, based on the hit book series, follows Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), the Chief Medical Examiner, as she returns to Virginia and resumes her former position with complex relationships, both personal and professional – including her sister Dorothy (Curtis), with plenty of grudges and secrets to uncover. Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale plays former detective Pete Marino; Emmy nominee Simon Baker joins as FBI profiler Benton Wesley; Oscar winner Ariana DeBose will play Lucy Farinelli-Watson, Dorothy’s daughter; BIFA winner Rosy McEwen joins as Past Kay Scarpetta, and Jake Cannavale as Past Pete Marino.”
Poster for ‘Family Secrets The Disappearance of Alissa Turney’
Activist Sarah Turney would not allow her sister’s disappearance to be forgotten. Oxygen True Crime’s Family Secrets: The Disappearance of Alissa Turney dives into the murder case and Sarah’s unwavering commitment to obtain justice.
Jesse Sweet and Ricki Stern direct and serve as executive producers along with Sarah Turney, Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, Jon Bardin, Kate Barry, and Mala Chapple.
“As filmmakers, we wanted to explore the shifting nature of truth and how someone who had been groomed to believe one version of reality could relearn her own memories,” stated directors Ricki Stern and Jesse Sweet. “We crafted the film to embody Sarah’s journey of excavating the truth about herself, her family and what happened to her sister. We are grateful to Sarah for welcoming us into her life and opening up her family archive in support of this vision.”
The documentary premieres on Oxygen True Crime on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT. Peacock will stream an extended version on October 22nd.
“The Voices for Justice Media founder Sarah Turney became a viral sensation when she posted suspicions on social media that her dad killed her sister, Alissa. Now Sarah gives unprecedented access to the continuation of her story, including a recently unearthed trove of home videos, as she re-examines her and Alissa’s childhood,” reads Oxygen’s synopsis. “Sarah makes chilling discoveries, breaking through years of manipulation to reconstruct the truth of the past and be free of her father’s influence. Sarah’s final conversation with her father is haunting and a testament to her tenacity and unending search for Alissa.”
Hulu’s set its annual Huluween lineup, which will include Ryan Murphy’s latest FX series Grotesquerie starring Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, and Travis Kelce. The Halloween celebration features a new season of American Horror Stories and Halloween specials from Solar Opposites and Family Guy.
The final season of What We Do in the Shadows and Reginald the Vampire season two join Hulu’s lineup, along with Hold Your Breath starring Sarah Paulson. Plus, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, Signs, The Happening, and Unbreakable bring the chills during this year’s Huluween event.
Huluween 2024 on Hulu
FX’s Grotesquerie – September 26, streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers
In FX’s Grotesquerie, a series of heinous crimes have unsettled a small community. Detective Lois Tryon feels these crimes are eerily personal, as if someone—or something—is taunting her. With no leads and unsure of where to turn, she accepts the help of Sister Megan. However, they find themselves ensnared in a sinister web that only seems to raise more questions than answers. Starring Travis Kelce, Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, and Lesley Manville.
It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023) – October 1st
A year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve, Winnie Carruthers’ life is less than wonderful — but when she wishes she’d never been born, she finds herself in a nightmare parallel universe and discovers that without her, things could be much, much worse. Now the killer is back, and she must team up with the town misfit to identify the killer and get back to her own reality. It’s a Wonderful Life by way of Scream. Starring Jane Widdop, Jess McLeod, Joel McHale, Katharine Isabelle, William B. Davis and Justin Long.
M. Night Shyamalan Collection – October 1st
Celebrate Halloween with a selection of suspense-filled classics from M. Night Shyamalan, including Signs (2002), The Happening (2008), The Sixth Sense (1999), and Unbreakable (2000).
In 1930s Oklahoma amid the region’s horrific dust storms, a woman (Sarah Paulson) is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.
Solar Opposites Halloween Special Episode – October 7th
Spooky stuff is afoot when the Spirit of Halloween starts to take over Korvo’s life in this special edition of Solar Opposites.
Mr. Crocket (2024) – October 11th
In 1993, a mysterious children’s show host, Mr. Crocket, magically emerges from television sets to kidnap young children, brutally slaying their parents in the process. After Mr. Crocket snatches her son, one determined mother embarks on a perilous quest to track down the demonic entertainer and rescue her boy. Starring Jerrika Hinton, Elvis Nolasco, Ayden Gavin, Kristolyn Lloyd, and Alex Akpobome.
Family Guy Halloween Special Episode – October 14th
Peter and his friends aim to unseat the reigning champion (Glen Powell) in Quahog’s annual Pumpkin Contest by any means necessary.
FX’s American Horror Stories – October 15th
American Horror Stories is an anthology series that will feature a different horror story each episode. The spooky collection of new American Horror Stories episodes features an all-star cast, including Michael Imperioli, Henry Winkler, Dyllón Burnside, Debby Ryan, Jeff Hiller, Jessica Barden, Angel Bismark Curiel, Guy Burnet, Victor Garber, June Squibb and more!
Reginald the Vampire: Complete Season 2 – October 17th
Reginald the Vampire returns for its second season, following Reginald Andres, who is adjusting to his new life as a vampire while navigating the complexities of the undead world.
Late Night with the Devil (2023) – October 19th
A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. Starring David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, and Ian Bliss.
A scene from ‘Carved’ (Courtesy of Disney)
Carved (2024) – October 21st
When a heartbroken teenage playwright, her younger brother, and a group of survivors become trapped in a historical reenactment village on Halloween night, they must band together to survive a relentless assault by a sentient and vengeful pumpkin. Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Corey Fogelmanis, Wyatt Lindner, and more.
After a very brief stint as a full-blown vampire, Guillermo is re-evaluating his life. Who is he if not a familiar who will do anything to please his Master in hopes of one day being turned into a vampire? Meanwhile, the vampires are reevaluating, too. When their former roommate reappears after a 50-year nap, they realize how little they’ve done in half a century — not one goal accomplished, not one dream pursued, not one part of the New World conquered (except for their street and part of Ashley Street).
In the sixth and final season of the Emmy-nominated comedy, Nandor, Nadja, Laszlo, Colin and Guillermo will enter the workforce, visit New Hampshire, go to a human dinner party, fête The Baron and conjure a demon — all while trying to find their place and their purpose in this crazy, mixed-up world.
Season 37 of CBS’s popular investigative series 48 Hours kicks off with an episode focusing on the 30-year search for the body of murder victim Sara Anne Wood. The 12-year-old girl went missing on August 18, 1993 while walking home from church in Sauquoit, New York. Lewis Lent was ultimately convicted of her murder but has refused to give her family peace by revealing the location of her body.
“It’s 30 years later … I can’t imagine many things that are as terribly life-changing,” said Sara’s older brother, Dusty, in an interview with 48 Hours correspondent Erin Moriarty. He added, “Finding the body is important because then my mother could know where she is.”
Dusty now dedicates his time to spreading awareness of child abductions. “The most important thing for us as a family is to protect kids … and make sure that if there’s anything that can be done to protect them from monsters like Lewis Lent, that it be done.”
48 Hours has been reporting on Sara Anne Wood’s case since she vanished and was given access to the search as it was underway. And back in 1994, Moriarty did an interview with the girl who helped crack the case. 12-year-old Becky Savarese was the victim of an attempted kidnapping, and the information she supplied the police led them to Wood’s killer, Lewis Lent.
“He told us about his ‘master plan,'” says retired New York State Police detective Frank Lawrence. “Once he found the acceptable vulnerable individuals, he was gonna bring ’em back to his house and put ’em in, I describe it as a coffin, but keep them alive. So he could use them and have them whenever he wanted them.”
CBS offers this description of the 30-year quest for Wood’s final resting place: “After Lent confessed to killing Wood, he drew a map to where he said he buried her in a remote location in the Adirondack Mountains, leading police on an extensive search. She was never found. Was he toying with investigators? New York State Police detectives refuse to give up. They continue to visit Lent in prison hoping that he will tell them where he buried Wood’s body and possibly disclose the murders of other victims. In November 2023, they searched in a rural area near Pownal, Vt., and in June 2024, they searched a property in Lanesborough, Mass., connected to Lent, with no luck.”
Season 37 premieres on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT. Per CBS, the series has been the top non-sports primetime program for 18 straight seasons.
CBS’s SWAT welcomes Annie Ilonzeh as new 20-Squad team member Devin Gamble for the show’s eighth and final season. But the description of season eight episode one, “Vanished,” hints at Devin’s introduction to the team not exactly being embraced by everyone.
The season eight premiere airs on October 18, 2024, with new episodes on Fridays at 8pm ET/PT.
Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell. Annie Ilonzeh is Devin Gamble and Niko Pepaj plays Miguel “Miko” Alfaro.
“Vanished” Plot: SWAT tackles a mission with personal ties for Hondo when they race to find a group of missing students and their bus driver, Hondo’s former high school football coach. Also, Hicks has reservations regarding Hondo’s new 20-Squad team addition, Devin Gamble (Ilonzeh), a cop with a family background deeply entrenched in crime.
S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds.
Committed to the job, Hondo is equally devoted to his marriage and fatherhood. The other members of Hondo’s elite S.W.A.T. unit include David “Deacon” Kay, an experienced S.W.A.T. officer and dedicated family man who always puts the team first; Victor Tan, who started in the LAPD Hollywood Division and uses his confidential informants in the community to help the team; Zoe Powell, a tough and loyal team member trying to reconnect with the son she gave up for adoption as a teen; and Miguel “Miko” Alfaro, a headstrong officer who overcame a troubled childhood, and is now a trusted 20-Squad addition following a rocky transfer to Los Angeles S.W.A.T.
Responsible for the management of all Metro Division S.W.A.T. units is Commander Robert Hicks, a senior LAPD official with the Special Operations Bureau. With Hondo leading the charge, these dedicated men and women bravely put themselves at risk to protect their community and save lives.
Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star finally returns to primetime with the season five premiere, “Both Sides, Now.” But there’s bad news for fans of the popular drama; Fox has confirmed the new season will be the show’s last.
The fifth and now-final season debuts on September 23, 2024. New episodes of the 12 episode season will air on Mondays at 8pm ET/PT, followed by the lifeguard drama Rescue: HI-Surf set on Hawaii’s North Shore.
Rob Lowe leads the cast as Captain Owen Strand, Ronen Rubinstein stars as T.K., Gina Torres plays Paramedic Captain Tommy Vega, and Jim Parrack is Judd Ryder. Natacha Karam plays Marjan Marwani, Brian Michael Smith is Paul Strickland, Julian Works is Mateo Chavez, Rafael Silva plays Carlos Reyes, and Brianna Baker is Nancy Gillian. Sierra McClain will not be returning as Grace Ryder.
McClain’s departure was a surprise and altered plans for the fifth season. “As I told her, ‘Any time I’m here, there’ll always be a place for you,'” said co-showrunner Rashad Raisan in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I would love it, I’d beg her. But [her departure] did force us to do some unexpected things that led to some beautiful storylines.”
“Both Sides, Now” Plot: The 126 race into action when an armored truck and its guards are attacked by a group of masked men. Carlos, in his new job as a Texas Ranger, is assigned to investigate the case. Owen attends group therapy with Tommy to deal with his brother Robert’s death. Both Marjan and Paul each apply for the open lieutenant position, replacing Judd, who finds himself lost without his old job. Wyatt begins work at the call center, and a major train derailment signals tragedy.
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 5 Description, Courtesy of Fox:
9-1-1: Lone Star follows members of Austin’s 126 Fire Department led by Captain Owen Strand who, along with his adult son, T.K., moved to Texas to help rebuild the firehouse which had experienced a tragedy of its own. His team of diverse and qualified first responders include widowed Paramedic Captain Tommy Vega, Judd Ryder, who was the sole survivor of Austin’s original 126 house after a rescue call ended in tragedy; Marjan Marwani, an adrenaline junkie and badass firefighter who also is a devout Muslim; Paul Strickland, a transgender male firefighter, who bravely decided to transition on the job in Chicago and has a gift for observation worthy of Sherlock Holmes; and rookie firefighter Mateo Chavez.
Settling into his new home, T.K. caught the eye of police officer Carlos Reyes and the two began a romantic relationship eventually marrying in the season four finale. T.K hung up his firefighter helmet to become a full-time paramedic under Tommy’s guidance and works closely with fellow paramedic Nancy Gillian.
In the upcoming fifth season, Captains Strand and Vega, along with the 126 team, race into action when in a multi-episodic opening storyline, a catastrophic train derailment endangers several lives including some of their own. With Judd resigning from the 126 to take care of his recently handicapped son Wyatt (Jackson Pace), Owen must find a new lieutenant to replace Judd and has a difficult decision ahead of him when both Marjan and Paul apply for the promotion. Tommy is ready to take the next step in her relationship, but she finds the road to happiness is filled with obstacles.
On his 30th birthday, T.K. gets a surprise visit from someone from his past that could change his and Carlos’ lives forever. Now officially husband and husband, T.K. and Carlos’ marriage is put to the test when Carlos becomes obsessed with solving his father’s murder.
Kaitlin Olson stars in ‘High Potential’ (ABC/David Bukach)
Kaitlyn Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) shines in ABC’s new procedural High Potential, based on the French crime series HPI. Olson stars as Morgan, a brilliant single mom of three who accidentally becomes involved in solving a murder case. Episode one introduces Morgan as a free spirit with a mind that never stops, leading to problems at home and work.
The following is a recap of episode one, which aired on September 17, 2024. There are spoilers ahead – you’ve been warned!
Episode one begins with Morgan (Olson) stripping out of her faux leopard-print jacket and high-heeled boots, putting on her just a shade less sexy uniform, and dancing her way through a night-time job at the LAPD Major Crime Unit. Wearing fishnets and pink headphones, Morgan rocks out as she works her way through the building tidying up. Sometimes, that means dancing on desks while dusting, and sometimes, that means pulling off club moves while vacuuming.
She apparently took the “dance like no one is watching” suggestion to heart.
On the night we meet her, she inadvertently knocks over a case file and spills photos on the floor. Morgan peruses its contents, glances at the murder board, and switches the primary suspect to “victim.”
The next morning, Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata, Power Book II: Ghost) does a quick recap of the evidence for our sake and for his boss, Lt. Selena Soto (Judy Reyes, Succession). Anthony Acosta was murdered with a shotgun. Survivors include his daughter Letty who’s in college at Santa Cruz, and the primary suspect, his wife, Lynette (the one Morgan thinks is actually a victim), who has since vanished.
Adam notices the change to the murder board. I mean, if it hadn’t noticed it, he’d really suck at being a detective, right? No one fesses up to marking up his board.
Meanwhile, Morgan takes her three kids grocery shopping, which gives the new drama its first opportunity to show off Morgan’s “special skills.” She knows exactly how much her groceries should cost to the penny, and when her total doesn’t match the cashier’s, she guides her through every discount that should have been applied but wasn’t. Morgan is right, the cashier is wrong, and those of us who hate math are suitably impressed.
Eldest daughter Ava (Amirah J) is beyond embarrassed that they’re forced to take the bus home with the shopping cart full of groceries. Apparently, the car is too expensive to fix. Her son, Elliot (Matthew Lamb), has his mom’s math talent and tries to figure out what it would cost. Morgan’s third child, Chloe, is just a baby and doesn’t weigh in on the bus/car/grocery shopping discussion.
They make it home with the cart, and helpful next-door neighbor Henry – who is also the babysitter – assists with putting away the groceries. Their brief conversation provides the tidbit that Morgan still talks to her ex-husband, Ludo, every day. They are friendly co-parents, even if they’re not together.
Judy Reyes, Daniel Sunjata, and Javicia Leslie in ‘High Potential’ episode 1 (Disney/David Bukach)
Back at the station, the team watches security footage of Morgan dancing her way through her shift and changing the board. Morgan’s brought into the station to explain why she tampered with a murder case. She reveals she has a compulsion; if she sees a mistake, she has to correct it. Lt. Soto gets an earful when she asks what mistakes Morgan found in the case file. Morgan methodically goes through the photos, pointing out the house is meticulous except for the curtains. A missing tieback must have been used to tie someone’s hands while the legs were taped to a chair. And since the murder victim didn’t have marks around his hands, there’s another victim. And drumroll, please, that victim is the person the detectives have designated the primary suspect.
Morgan wants to go home and fry up her expiring ham, but Adam says not so fast. They need the results back from the lab before she can leave, so of course, the other members of the team – Detectives Daphne Forrester (Javicia Leslie, Batwoman) and Lev “Oz” Ozdil (Deniz Akdeniz, The Flight Attendant) – arrive with the results on cue. Morgan’s right, again, but Adam refuses to back down and locks her up. He doesn’t believe she put this all together and thinks she could be involved in the murder.
Lt. Soto and Adam admit they have a botched homicide investigation, a second victim somewhere, and no leads. Because Morgan is…say it with me…right about everything.
The team discovers footage from Acosta’s house showing a woman identified as Lishka at the murder scene around the time of the shooting. Lishka had threatened Lynette Acosta over a lawsuit she lost, and during questioning, Lishka admits she was angry with Lynette. However, she claims she wasn’t at Lynette’s house yesterday, even though that’s what the security footage timestamp indicates. She was working at home, but no one saw her.
Morgan’s walking through the bullpen after finally being released when she hears the team discussing the fresh developments. They don’t ask for her opinion, but she chimes in anyway, informing the foursome the date on the timestamp is wrong. The wind’s blowing from the wrong direction for this time of year. And she can tell the wind’s direction because there’s a Catholic church in the background and all churches face east. (I didn’t know that, but Google confirms most churches face that direction.)
The footage is months old, which means someone doctored the security footage. It also means Lishka is innocent. Morgan heads off after not even getting a thank you, and Selena chases her down. Morgan admits she has a 160 IQ and is technically a high-potential intellectual, hence the series’ name. She has advanced cognitive capabilities and can’t keep a job (or a relationship) because she obsesses over every little thing.
Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, and Kaitlin Olson in ‘High Potential’ episode 1 (Disney/David Bukach)
15 minutes in we’re introduced to Morgan’s ex, Ludo (Taran Killam), when he meets her outside the station, worried that she got arrested again. Barely released, she immediately engages in a shouting match with cops that escalates into a brawl. Fortunately, she and Ludo are only feet from LAPD’s front door, so it’s a short walk back into a holding cell.
Detective Adam meets with the murder victim’s daughter, Letty, and promises he won’t stop looking for her mom. Letty reveals her mom felt guilty about Sarah, a colleague at work who committed suicide. Sarah wrote her mom a letter before her death, and that really shook her up.
Adam and Selena try to get access to Lynette’s office, but since she’s a defense attorney, they’re denied permission to go through her files. Adam wants to go to Lynette’s office and appeal in person, and Selena agrees, but only if he takes Morgan with him. Adam protests, but Selena points out Morgan noticed what they all missed.
While waiting outside the station for a ride, Morgan expresses her condolences to Letty for the murder of her dad and the disappearance of her mom. Letty shows Morgan recent photos of her mom on her phone, including one her mom sent just two days ago. Morgan empathizes with the girl because she has also experienced losing someone who has never been found.
Selena tries to bribe/intimidate Morgan into helping with their case and Morgan agrees, mostly because she sympathizes with Letty. Adam uses the murder board to show Morgan where the case now stands, including the missing letter from Sarah to Lynette they’d like to get their hands on.
Letty, Adam, Daphne, Oz, and Morgan arrive outside Lynette’s sister’s house, and Adam lays down the rules. No touching, talking, or doing anything. In other words, just stand there. Want to place bets on whether Morgan will abide by the rules?
Lynette’s sister, Sophia, says she knows nothing about Sarah and a letter. She hasn’t spoken to Lynette in two days, and Morgan correctly points out that Sophia is a botanist. (If you bet she would, you lost.) Morgan asks about her alibi and receives a warning from Adam in response.
After they leave Sophia’s, Morgan says they need to get their hands on that letter. Everyone agrees, but Adam doesn’t want Morgan involved in obtaining it. He doesn’t want her help and hopes she quits. Morgan walks off in a huff. Adam orders Oz to confirm Sophia’s alibi while he works on getting access to Lynette’s office and the letter.
Adam’s told he can only get into Lynette’s office if he gets a warrant. But, it turns out that Morgan has already broken into Lynette’s office, figured out the code to the safe, and has taken Sarah’s letter. All of which she confesses to Adam while he’s washing his hands in the men’s restroom.
The letter indicates that Lynette’s client who assaulted Lishka also assaulted Sarah, the paralegal on the case. This means the man who did the assault, Brian Diamond, is probably the killer. Morgan thinks this is the motive, but Adam informs her it doesn’t matter. The letter is now inadmissible. They can’t hang onto this letter, and they absolutely can’t use it in court. That’s not how the law works.
Adam orders Morgan to return the letter. And if she’s caught doing it, he’ll arrest her. He softens the order by saying they’ll then go talk to Brian.
Adam brings Brian in for questioning while Oz and Morgan watch through the one-way mirror. Unfortunately, Daphne checks Brian’s alibi and he wasn’t even in town on the day of the murder. He was in Fontana, a city Morgan describes as the “Kentucky of California.” (She said it, not me!) Morgan believes he’s so wealthy that he’d never be caught dead in Fontana. She screams through the window to ask why he was in Fontana.
Selena is forced to stop the interrogation before Adam can ask any further questions. It turns out someone noticed Morgan entering Lynette’s office twice and got this shut down. Adam warns Morgan to be grateful she’s not being arrested. This experiment is over.
Later at home, Ava admits she’s not like her mom or brother. She has a different dad – the person Morgan mentioned earlier who is missing – and Morgan remains convinced he didn’t choose to leave. Something must have happened all those years ago.
Daniel Sunjata in ‘High Potential’ episode 1 (Disney/David Bukach)
They’re eating breakfast the next morning when Adam shows up, wondering why she wanted him to ask about Fontana. Morgan reveals the one tchotchke on Sophia’s shelf that wasn’t dusty was from Fontana, so she probably just visited there with Brian. Morgan has an epiphany; the murder didn’t happen when they think it did, based on the flowers in Lynette’s recent photo she sent Letty.
Morgan believes Brian and Sophia were having an affair because Brian needed leverage to stay close to Lynette. Brian and Sophia must have gone to Lynette’s to pressure her but were surprised that Anthony was home.
Adam and Morgan head over to Lynette’s, and Morgan walks through the murder. She believes Anthony Acosta picked up his rifle, there was a struggle, and Brian shot him. Lynette saw it happen and they had to take care of her, too. Brian works in security technology and Sophia is a botanist, and Lynette’s living room is basically a greenhouse complete with state-of-the-art climate controls. All of which means Brian set the air to freezing and left Anthony there, dead. He then changed the security footage to show Lishka at the door months after she was actually there.
Then, he increased the temperature and cooked the house, unfreezing Anthony’s body and killing the flowers from Lynette’s last photo. That screwed with the time of death. Morgan notices a photo of a remote cabin the family owns, and they hustle over there to discover Lynette alive but tied up.
Selena credits Morgan with putting the pieces together and hands her a job offer. She wants Morgan to be a full-time consultant. Morgan doesn’t read the offer and just hands it back, thanking Selena but declining.
The next day, Morgan and Ava take a walk in the park. Morgan assures Ava that her father vanished. There’s no way he left voluntarily 15 years ago. He loved them both. Ava remains unconvinced.
Morgan changes her mind and accepts the job offer, with a few tweaks. She wants 20% more, child care, and Selena’s help locating Ava’s dad, Roman.
It’s a deal.
New episodes air on ABC on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
