ABC Sets Up Its High Potential Replacement For Greatness

Published Sep 16, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Antonella Gugliersi (she/them) has been a feature writer for Screen Rant since 2021. While studying for her bachelor’s in Economics & Management, they started writing about movies and TV shows for Turin-based The Unconventional Mag. After a brief internship at TPI, she decided she wanted to pursue journalism and graduated with a degree in International Journalism from Brunel University.

This article contains SPOILERS about R.J. Decker season 2, episode 1.One element of High Potential’s Fall 2026 replacement hints at ABC setting it up for greatness in one specific way. Despite the seasons that had already aired in the previous years starting ABC’s TV cycle, High Potential season 3 is actually delayed until midseason, only returning to our screens in 2027. This opened up its Tuesday slot for another ABC TV show whose themes and structure closely mirrored High Potential’s, one in its sophomore season after premiering with discrete success in midseason during the 2025-2026 TV cycle.

RJ Decker season 2, episode 1’s perfectly balanced mix of case-of-the-week and personal storylines reminded audiences of what sets it apart from other crime dramas and where season 1 left its protagonists, effectively returning with a splash. Heavily focusing on the streak of bank robberies reintroduced its key dynamics, like R.J. and Mel’s tricky but fruitful collaboration, while also offering an insight into R.J.’s past through the introduction of his former cellmate, Stevie. However, RJ Decker season 2’s premiere stayed away from revealing too much about season 1’s finale’s cliffhanger ending, as very little was known about Victor Ochoa’s murder.

Another interesting development nevertheless involved R.J. and Emi’s relationship, which is decidedly not romantic by RJ Decker season 2, episode 1’s end, despite the pair hooking up again in the present timeline in RJ Decker season 1. Indeed, R.J. and Emi only meeting by RJ Decker season 2, episode 1’s ending forced a temporary pause to their romance, setting the pairing up for greatness as a result.

Emi & R.J. Needing To Be Friends Now Turns Their Connection Into A Timeless Slow-Burn Romance

MovieStillsDB

RJ Decker pushing R.J. and Emi closer as allies, against some perps of the week first and Victor Ochoa later, made their romantic connection evident in its maiden season. However, Victor Ochoa’s surprising death in RJ Decker season 1’s finale complicated things for the pair, as their romantic spark couldn’t be further explored after Emi rightfully asked R.J. for some space to process the loss. While it may seem counterintuitive, Catherine’s genius suggestion in RJ Decker season 2’s premiere that R.J. reconnect with her as friends sets the pair up for greatness.

Catherine being the one to find Emi is a flawless continuation of their bond’s development after opposing her and R.J.’s connection in RJ Decker season 1. Indeed, pushing R.J. to be Emi’s friend at a moment when she needs them brings her back into the action from a practical point of view. Simultaneously, forcing Emi and R.J. to be friends first firmly sets them on a path to an epic slow-burn romance, changing the romantic tension that characterized season 1 into something more stable that proved incredibly successful for romantic pairings in several crime dramas that came before RJ Decker.

Due to its procedural nature, a big chunk of each RJ Decker episode will always revolve around a case. R.J.’s PI job is instrumental to his redemption arc, and it also informs all his personal relationships, as it often justifies his being closer to Mel and Catherine. However, because of the same procedural nature, a central slow-burn romance could make RJ Decker even more memorable.

That was the case for several procedural dramas over the years. Indeed, Patrick Jane’s dedication to finding Red John was just as central to The Mentalist as his banter-turned-romance with Teresa Lisbon. Similarly, Lucifer and Chloe’s will-they-won’t-they dynamic made Lucifer better, turning an already original police procedural into something memorable because of the hope they would get together. It could be argued that even a more recent procedural like High Potential follows a similar path with Morgan and Karadec, even if nothing remotely romantic has yet happened between them.

R.J. Decker Season 2 Shelving Emi & R.J.'s Romance Makes Their Inevitable Love Story Better

ABC Press

All central romantic relationships in successful crime dramas needed extensive time to develop, with the blossoming of the pairings’ love going hand in hand with the investigations they spent all their time on, even if it took seasons for them to act on their feelings. RJ Decker can do something similar by building Emi and R.J.’s friendship first.

As of RJ Decker season 2’s premiere, R.J. and Emi’s romantic connection only developed through highs and lows, without any semblance of stability. That was clear from the beginning, when Emi hooked up with R.J. despite knowing she would have perjured herself to protect the Ochoa name and family. Their bond nevertheless continued to seesaw throughout RJ Decker season 1, with their interest being as evident as their distrust in one another because of their shared history.

R.J. and Emi putting their friendship ahead of any romantic potential can strengthen the foundation of their bond. As a consequence, becoming friends raises the stakes when the romantic spark between them inevitably reignites, as they would have to choose between a possible romantic relationship and an already existing and reliable friendship. Such a development gives RJ Decker the chance to transform their connection into a legendary romance that audiences can root for a while before the payoff of ultimately seeing them together.

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