High Potentialseason 2 is still months away, meaning fans have all the time in the world to come up withtheories about what’s to come, including who the next villain, “David,” truly is and how his identity affects Morgan.The ABC police procedural series, created by Drew Goddard, was an absolute hit during its debut season.High Potentialbroke many viewership recordsas many were intrigued by Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillory, a high potential intellectual (HPI) who becomes a consultant for the LAPD when she helps them solve a case using her special and unorthodox skills.

High Potentialis expected to return with season 2 in the fall of 2025 as a part of ABC’s 2025–2026 TV schedule.

David Giuntoli in High Potential season 1 finale

ThroughoutHigh Potentialseason 1’s episodes, Morgan helps the LAPD solve numerous crimes with her HPI abilities. However, she doesn’t figure out who the finale’s villain truly is, although she unknowingly runs into him towards the end ofHigh Potentialseason 1. The characters don’t know his real name, as they previously thought someone named David was the perpetrator. In actuality, the game-loving antagonist is played by David Giuntoli. He slyly drops a game into Morgan’s grocery bags in the parking lot, anda note on it reads, “You’re the one, Morgan. We shall play again. Me and you.”

High Potential’s “David” Is Morgan’s Brother Theory Explained

Some Believe The New Villain Is Actually Morgan’s Sibling

Given that his face isn’t revealed until the veryend of theHigh Potentialseason 1 finale,not much is known about David Giuntoli’s villain.So, the only thing anyone can do while waiting for season 2 is to speculate about “David’s” identity. One of the more popular theories concerning the new character is that he is Morgan’s secret brother.

Every High Potential Season 1 Case, Ranked

High Potential season 1 was a masterful pilot showing, but the crime procedural’s thirteen episodic cases varied in mystery and excitement.

As first postulated byTVLine, “David” could be Morgan’s long-lost brother. If this is true, Morgan is somehow unaware of his existence. She never mentions having siblings inHigh Potential, and she doesn’t recognize “David” in the grocery store parking lot. Nevertheless,many clues suggest that the villain is Morgan’s brother.She suspiciously and somewhat randomly opens up about her strict father (who also has HPI) with Karadec in the finale. Plus, during Morgan’s run-in with “David,” he mentions that pot pies were his favorite as a kid. The antagonist’s fixation on Morgan is also suspicious, suggesting he knows her.

Custom Image of Morgan Gillory from High Potential.

Morgan Not Recognizing Her Own Brother Would Be Her Biggest Weakness Yet

Kaitlin Olson’s Character Is Known For Her Intellect

If “David” truly is Morgan’s sibling,her not recognizing him in theHigh Potentialseason 1 finale is quite peculiar.The ABC crime drama TV series is centered around Morgan’s status as an HPI, after all. Given her high intellect, one would think thatKaitlin Olson’s characterwould remember her own brother.

Garret Dillahunt

Lieutenant Melon

Morgan doesn’t have many weaknesses inHigh Potentialbecause of her high intelligence and huge heart. If “David” is Morgan’s sibling, though, her not recognizing or remembering him would be her Achilles heel in the police procedural show. Maybe her childhood memory is substandard, even though she is an HPI. However,various explanations can account for Morgan’s unfamiliarity with David Giuntoli’s character’s face(if he is related to her).

Why Morgan Might Not Remember Her Own Brother In High Potential

“David” Could Be Morgan’s Half-Brother

When takingMorgan’s history inHigh Potentialinto account, it’s highly unlikely that she would simply forget a brother who grew up alongside her throughout her childhood. One specific reason could explain how this might be possible, though.Perhaps Morgan experienced a traumatic event when she was youngerthat resulted in her brain blocking out parts of her upbringing to cope, like the existence of a sibling. Even Morgan is susceptible to dissociative amnesia.

David Giuntoli’s villain might have grown up separately from Morgan, with whichever parent they don’t share, explaining why she doesn’t recognize him in the season 1 finale.

High Potential (2024)

However, one other explanation can negate Morgan’s weakness regarding potentially forgetting her brother inHigh Potential. It’s possible that Morgan never even met him prior to their parking lot run-in.“David” could easily be Morgan’s half-brother she was never made aware ofas a child or as an adult. David Giuntoli’s villain might have grown up separately from Morgan, with whichever parent they don’t share, explaining why she doesn’t recognize him in the season 1 finale. Whatever the case, fans must wait until the premiere ofHigh Potentialseason 2 to learn the truth.