Uma Mente Excepcional

After seeing the pilot, this seems like a 90% scene-for-scene reshoot of the original French series (tt14060708) - which would be ok, if not for the fact that it has been softened for the US audience. The characters and the flow of the series seem less complex. This still makes for a good show though, but not on the same level as the original, sadly.

EDIT: I have seen 10 episodes at this point, and the show has strongly deviated from the French show. First, the US version has added several original storylines instead of just copying everything. But more importantly, while the original Morgane is a self-absorbed, ignorant, loud, unlikable egocentric throughout the whole show, American Morgane is is a way more likable character. Her quirks are significantly toned down.

This gives the show more feel-good quality. I am not sure if this is a good thing though - while French Morgane is a terrible human being, she surely makes the show unique. American HIP is nice and cute and all, but as a result it's just another "funny" crime show starring a main protagonist with a goofy flaw/skill and it that sense it is not much different than Monk, Unforgettable, Lie to me, The Mentalist and dozens of other, similar shows.

*Read season finale update below *

Being unfamiliar with most of Kaitlin Olson's work I watched this feeling it would pass some time, while having low expectations.

Surprise on me.

Olson is definitely the star and the centerpiece. If she doesn't nail her performance the series has no chance. She's excellent. Unfortunately it's not sustained. The plot device getting her hired isn't revisited in episodes 4 or 5. The other actors do NOT hold up their end. But the writing is what ultimately derails this show. Bad writing. Real bad. Incredibly bad. The babbling nonsensical solutions to the last two cases was terrible.

The concept, gifted and damaged individual possessing a knack for solving crimes, has been done before. And the series reminded me of Natasha Lyonne's similar series (Poker Face). There is also a bit of a similarity to "Elsbeth", a series about an attorney on the spectrum who solves murders. Both series lean heavily on the female leads, and inject character driven humor.

This is an ensemble show, like Elsbeth, with support from Daniel Sunjata and Javica Leslie and Judy Reyes, whereas Poker Face is about a nomadic gifted individual on the run.

The first two episodes were enjoyable.

Then came the next two episodes.

As often happens with a first year in a series, episode 3 is a clunker. Olson comes off as shrill and unnecessarily disrespectful. Sunjata vacillated between beginning to like Olson and being completely unimpressed. There are other disjointed character issues in that episode, and a very convoluted plot.

The hope that this was a one off and just a matter of the writers, actors and directors settling in with a new series was blown up by the cringe-worthy bad fourth episode.

I may check back at the end of the season to see if the writing improves, but for now, I'm on to other things.

*season finale update* So, this series only received a 13 episode order because it was a Fall release series.

The season ended in a major, multi-layered cliff hanger. Can't get upset about that because many series do that, especially over on the streaming networks.

In episode 13 Morgan (Olson) is given more latitude by her PD colleagues, but still wearing clothes that look like she's working in Vice as a hooker. Her family life is still conveniently held together by her ex who babysits on the fly, sometimes for days apparently. Does he not have a job?

The cranky, obnoxious teen girl has calmed down a lot, and seems more supportive of her single mom.

We discover(?) that her partner (Sunjata) is gay. Why the late desire to skew this character in this direction? Feels weird.

Her other bullpen teammates feel more self-assured.

Her work boss seems unchanged from the earlier episodes, and an early love interest comes back into her life, and an odd character who seems to know what happened to her husband figures largely in this episode.

The mystery, almost murder, is better than the capers in episodes 3 & 4, but feels very much like a three part story I remember from The Mentalist.

Nevertheless, definitely smoother (if not more sophisticated) than the early bad episodes. I'll tune in for season two.

I'm really a sucker for any series/movie that shows someone who has a unique ability hidden behind a persona that just doesn't match. Kinda like a secret super power. The main character has just that. Seems like her life is a bit in shambles, she's all over the place, but...she's crazy smart and notices details other well experienced people miss. I was already a fan of Kaitlin, so no surprise I love her here as well. She plays frazzled so well! I appreciate that each episode resolves the case. I'm over a series dragging out over an entire season or multiple. Just give me a solid story and conclusion in under an hour! This delivers. Well paced, has some funny lines and overall just enjoyable to watch. Really looking forward to additional episodes. Just hope they don't cancel it after one season like everyone is doing these days. Solid MC you want to root for.

The original French version, Haut Potential Intellectuel, was much smarter. The first episode was virtually the same as this first episode except they left off the first part where it is established that she lacks patience with people she talks to. This was at an employment she had besides working as a cleaning person at the police department. She gets fired from that job for disrespecting the customer. After that missing scene the rest of the first episode was basically the same. The biggest difference is the main character, Morgan, who is far more quirky than the one depicted in the American version. After watching the original version it is extremely difficult not to compare. This could be as entertaining because I do like Kaitlin Olsen. I'm hoping the character she had in The Mick who was irreverent and funny shows up in future episodes.

Examining her TV resume away from Always Sunny, and topping her role on The Mick, Olson glides onto screen in a not-so shot-for-shot remake of this French procedural, but she's definitely on vibes with it.

Throughout the episode you can tell Olson was attracted to this project by the way it portrays a struggling, body-empowered, capable woman. Comedy is stitched in through her delivery, much the same as the tongue in cheek of its French take.

What this series does better though is keep you captivated by a seasoned cast led by Judy Reyes, whose stern eyes and soft voice invite the audience to develop a sense of empathy towards the players her character cares to collect around her to seek justice.

The first episode was well done, though editing could use some work. The series would be lifted by more scenes between Reyes and Olson.