The sixth installment of "High Potential," entitled "Hangover," thrusts us into the shadowy depths of corporate America, where a cauldron of ambition, deceit, and homicide boils over. The episode kicks off with Sam, a youthful woman, awakening in her boss's office amidst a brutal hangover, her mind a blank slate as to the previous night's escapades. The office lies in disarray, but the most startling revelation is the sight of Elaine, her boss, sprawled lifeless on the floor, encircled by a pool of crimson.
Morgan, brought to life by Kaitlin Olson, is immersed in her spring cleaning spree when Detective Adam Karadec, played by Daniel Sunjata, summons her to Metkair TechCorp. The sprawling company, occupying an entire floor, had hosted a gala the preceding night to toast the unveiling of a groundbreaking product. The deceased, Elaine Barton, the company's visionary founder and CEO, was brutally slain with her own Female Innovator of the Year Award. A haunting video loop reveals Elaine's fervent desire to emulate icons like Elizabeth Holmes and Steve Jobs.
As the investigation unfolds like a taut thriller, we uncover that Sam, who portrays herself as a devoted employee and admirer of Elaine, was discovered with a sinister sketch in her notebook—a depiction of her standing behind Elaine, wielding a knife. Compounding her plight, Sam's inability to recall the nocturnal escapades due to a lethal cocktail of alcohol and novel medication casts her as the primary suspect in Elaine's untimely demise.
The investigative team, comprising Detectives Oz Osman and Daphne Forrester, delves deeper into the enigma, uncovering a toxicology report that hints at Sam's ingestion of a blend of Diazepam and alcohol, potentially inducing amnesia. Furthermore, they stumble upon a mysterious check, written by Elaine for $45,623 to cash, and the cryptic word "FOREVER" emblazoned in bold letters on Elaine's office wall.
Morgan's keen eye for detail leads her to decipher a karaoke playlist, a clue that narrows down the timeline of Elaine's murder. Through a series of interviews with revelers, they gather that Elaine was in a foul mood, and an altercation was audible from her office. Yet, no one ventured to check, considering it par for the course for Elaine to scold her employees.
As the intricate pieces of the puzzle began to fit together, Morgan and Adam grilled Elaine's husband, Eric, who disclosed that he was her inaugural investor and that their relationship had been harmonious until the fateful night of the party. He further affirmed that Elaine had adversaries within her own workforce.
The investigation took an unexpected twist when Morgan stumbled upon a strip of photographs concealed in Sam's bra, featuring one where she posed with a magazine cover depicting Elaine's face as a devil. This discovery led them to another employee, Denise, who confessed to a fleeting encounter with Sam at the party. Denise offered a pivotal clue when she described an unidentified woman with a square device on her arm, which was later identified as an insulin pump belonging to Carmen Jimenez.
Carmen, who hadn't been invited to the party, was confronted by Morgan and Adam. Under intense scrutiny, she conceded to being at the party and having a confrontation with Elaine. However, she steadfastly maintained that Elaine was still alive when she left. Carmen's narrative was supported by Sam, who recalled feeling enraged upon hearing about Carmen's encounter with Elaine.
As the team delved deeper, they uncovered a tangled web of deceit and corporate avarice. Elaine's company, Medkair, had been paying hush money to families, including Carmen's, to conceal the detrimental effects of their product, Canary. This revelation led Morgan to suspect that Elaine's murder was intertwined with her company's illicit activities.
In a dramatic confrontation in the boardroom, Eric admitted to providing hush money to the families but asserted that Elaine was resolute in launching the product despite the inherent risks. He also confessed that he didn't see eye to eye with Elaine's decision, which could have sparked a heated argument between them.
The episode reaches its thrilling peak as Morgan and Adam stumble upon a two-way mirror concealed within Elaine's office, revealing a hidden camera that captures a harrowing scene. The footage unravels a confrontation between Sam and Elaine, where Sam confronted her superior about resigning due to the company's morally questionable practices. In a fit of rage, Elaine assaults Sam, sparking a violent altercation that ends tragically with Elaine toppling over onto her award, resulting in her untimely demise. Sam, rendered unconscious in the fray, awakens to the grim sight of Elaine lying lifeless and herself drenched in blood.
Ultimately, Morgan and her team arrive at the conclusion that Sam's actions were a matter of self-defense, making it improbable that she will face any imprisonment. The unfolding events of the day prompt Morgan to develop a deeper appreciation for her boss, Selena, and her team, as they skillfully navigate the intricate and perilous landscape of high-stakes corporate malfeasance. As Morgan wraps up her work for the day, she opts to join her colleagues for a toast, marking the commencement of a fresh chapter in her life as a respected member of the LAPD, brimming with newfound camaraderie and purpose.
