A single mom with an exceptional mind is recruited to the LAPD Major Crimes unit, where her unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective.
Morgan is labeled a "high potential" individual. Her intellect and specific personality traits give her the ability to notice things others miss. A lieutenant with the LAPD sees it as a gift. One she is eager to exploit in the pursuit of closing cases. For Morgan, it's much more difficult. When she sees something wrong, she obsesses over it until she makes things right. She can't continue with her life knowing something is out of place. Of course, she's pretty shameless as well. She speaks up and takes action regardless of how others may perceive her. It's embarrassing for her teenage daughter who feels like the odd one out in the family. It also showcases Morgan as someone who knows her worth and doesn't let anyone try to tell her otherwise. The structure essentially comprises two character archetypes familiar to this particular genre. Morgan is a quirky outsider hired as a consultant to help the police. She is also a representative of the police who breaks the rules and is never held accountable for her actions. It's a unique dichotomy. One that Kaitlin Olson plays wonderfully well. However, the rest of the show still needs work to match that brilliance and specificity.
Morgan works as a cleaning lady struggling to make ends meet. The family takes public transportation and has three grocery store carts in the front yard. Her three children come from two different fathers. One is still around. However, he and Morgan are no longer together. That breakup may have been inevitable. She always proves to be too much. That's the curse of this particular diagnosis. She doesn't want to accept this job consulting for the LAPD. It invites so many difficult emotions from her past back to the surface. She previously made peace lying to herself about the mystery of what happened to Ava's father. No one listened to her when she proclaimed something devious occurred. She requires help with that investigation in order to accept this job. Again, that position was inevitable because it forms the basis of the show. It still provides grounded emotions to pull the viewer in. The intrigue is hopefully enough to form the backbone of the season while still providing episodic thrills through specific cases.
It's convenient Morgan works for a police precinct with her specific skills. It didn't motivate her to join this profession. It was nothing more than a job. The detectives have questions after she provides her theory. If true, her work would produce a case with no leads after a day of investigating. Her assumption proves to be correct. She is meant to observe the world inhabited by the people bearing this incredible tragedy. Detective Karadec doesn't want her to do anything. He knows the law. The work is all about being able to prove these cases in a courtroom. He knows there is a right and a wrong way to do things. Morgan has to interfere. That's simply how she is wired. She can't be silent in the background. She demands to be noticed. As such, it's amusing when she tries to be discreet while breaking into the safe of a defense attorney. She gets caught even though the evidence she gathers proves useful. She feels justified in her actions because she is always right. What others immediately take as facts she knows to look deeper. They are glaringly obvious to her. The details largely go by others who are conditioned differently.
Morgan has plenty of assumptions about police work. In fact, she highlights the abuses of the system. She wants in on that particular fun. She doesn't want to abide by the rules. She's frustrated when she is cut off from investigating any further. She has to find creative workarounds to get the answers she needs. As such, she requires someone like Karadec who knows how to do things through the proper channels. This has the promise of being a productive partnership. It's not an example of two leads carrying the drama though. The storytelling is very much centered around Morgan. Her life is messy. She needs this job. Things will probably change because of what she does next. She is accepting this responsibility in the hopes of finding answers herself. She needs that clarity. Fifteen years have gone by. The happiness that was once present is gone. She couldn't handle that pressure before. But now, she has a new commitment. She has to prove herself right. That drives her. Her new colleagues have to follow through on that demand. Finding the right balance will be tough. In fact, creative hurdles are likely as the show finds its groove. There is no promise that consistency and depth of a supporting ensemble will develop. The enjoyment of Olson is intriguing enough to forge ahead for now though.
