The episode "Survival Mode" of High Potential begins with a tense scene showing two young girls trapped in the trunk of a car, indicating a kidnapping. Morgan Gillory is about to receive her LAPD consultant badge and is called to investigate the disappearance of Mia's two daughters. Mia is the daughter of a wealthy hotelier and estranged from her ex-husband Wendell, who is described as a radical environmentalist and suspected of taking the girls to live off the grid.

Morgan and Detective Karadec visit Wendell's remote cottage in the San Gabriel Mountains. They find the house in disarray, with signs of a hurried departure, including a messy kitchen and an abandoned pet bunny named Ellie. Morgan notices survival books Wendell had bought for his daughters and a greenhouse with disturbed plants. While investigating, Morgan discovers Wendell's body buried beneath the greenhouse, confirming he has been murdered. This discovery escalates the urgency to find the missing girls.

Morgan examines Wendell's home further and finds a photo of an elderly couple at the beach, which becomes a key clue. She deduces from the condition of the house and Wendell's belongings that he was not mistreating his daughters, contradicting a social services report. Upon questioning the social worker responsible for the report, Morgan learns the report was falsified under bribery from Mia's father, John Ashford. The social worker reveals Wendell had evidence that John was illegally building hotels in protected environmental areas and was planning to expose him. However, the social worker denies any involvement in the kidnapping.

The investigation shifts focus to John Ashford, who is arrested and questioned. His wife and chauffeur, Curtis, provide alibis claiming John was in San Diego the night of Wendell's murder, but Curtis's story has inconsistencies, especially regarding toll road receipts. Under pressure, Curtis admits he does not know John's exact whereabouts that night. Morgan also copies her handprint to compare with a pink-streaked photo found in Wendell's survivalist handbook, linking clues to the case.

Meanwhile, an AMBER Alert is issued for the missing girls. Morgan and Karadec join a search and rescue operation in the San Gabriel Mountains. Morgan recalls survival techniques from Wendell's books, such as following moss growth to determine direction and looking for human signs like walnut shells and broken branches arranged as arrows. These clues lead them to a makeshift shelter made of branches where they find the two girls, Paige and Ellie, alive.

Curtis is arrested and questioned about the kidnapping. He admits he took the girls to the cabin but claims he never intended to harm them; his motive was to protect Mia from dealing with her ex-husband Wendell. However, Curtis's plan failed because the girls escaped from the cabin, and he does not know their current location. This confession clarifies the kidnapping's circumstances and Curtis's role.

Back at the LAPD, Morgan and Karadec's professional relationship deepens, marked by mutual respect. Karadec returns Morgan's LAPD badge, which she had lost during the search. Morgan returns home to find her children--Ludo, Ava, and Elliot--asleep on the couch. She quietly joins them and finally allows herself to rest after the intense case.

The episode ends with the case resolved: Wendell's murder is linked to the corrupt hotelier John Ashford's attempts to silence him, and the girls are safely recovered after surviving in the wilderness. Morgan's personal and professional challenges intertwine, highlighting her dedication and resilience throughout the investigation.

The episode "Survival Mode" from High Potential Season 1 ends with the two missing girls being found safe, having survived in the wilderness using survival skills taught by their father Wendell, who was discovered dead. The investigation reveals Wendell was not abusive as initially suspected, and the case exposes corruption involving Mia's father and a social worker. Morgan, who is emotionally invested due to her own connection to Wendell, helps bring the truth to light and secures her official LAPD badge by the episode's conclusion.

The ending unfolds as follows:

The detectives, led by Morgan and Karadec, intensify their search for the two missing girls, daughters of Mia and Wendell. Early in the episode, the girls are found trapped in the trunk of a car, but later it is revealed they are actually surviving in the wilderness near Wendell's remote cottage, using survival skills their father had taught them. This discovery comes after Morgan and Karadec investigate Wendell's home, where they find signs of a struggle and eventually Wendell's body buried beneath a greenhouse. This grim find escalates the urgency of the search.

Morgan's investigation uncovers that Wendell was not the neglectful or dangerous father he was initially portrayed to be. Instead, evidence shows he adored his daughters and was preparing them for off-grid survival, motivated by his radical environmentalist beliefs. The social worker who had reported Wendell as unfit admits to being bribed by Mia's father, John Ashford, a wealthy hotelier, to falsify reports against Wendell. Wendell had been gathering evidence against Ashford for illegal hotel construction in protected areas, which provides a motive for foul play.

As the search continues, Morgan's emotional connection to Wendell--her ex-husband--adds depth to her determination. The girls are eventually found unharmed, demonstrating the effectiveness of Wendell's survival teachings. The episode closes with Morgan receiving her official LAPD consultant badge, symbolizing her professional growth and personal resolve.

In terms of character fates at the end:

• The two girls are safe and reunited with their mother, Mia.
• Wendell is confirmed dead, his body found buried at his cottage.
• Mia's father, John Ashford, is implicated in corruption but not directly shown facing consequences within this episode.
• The social worker admits to bribery but denies involvement in the kidnapping.
• Morgan solidifies her role as a detective with her official badge, having solved the case and confronted her past.

This ending ties together the emotional stakes of the missing children case with the broader themes of environmentalism, family loyalty, and corruption, while advancing Morgan's character arc.

There is no indication of a post-credit scene in High Potential Season 1, Episode 4, "Survival Mode." The available detailed episode recaps and reviews do not mention any post-credit content or scenes following the episode's conclusion. The episode ends with the resolution of the kidnapping case and emotional moments involving the main characters, but no extra scene after the credits is reported.

Morgan receiving her official LAPD badge in episode 4, "Survival Mode," marks a major personal milestone for her, symbolizing her formal acceptance and progress within the police force. Despite the detectives' lukewarm reaction, Morgan is excited and confident, taking selfies to celebrate this achievement, which boosts her morale as she tackles the intense missing children case in the episode.

Morgan's investigation is deeply affected by a personal connection: the missing girls' father, Wendell, is revealed to be her ex-husband. This connection intensifies her emotional involvement and urgency in the case, driving her to promise the mother, Mia, that she will find the daughters. The case triggers Morgan's determination and mental focus, pushing her to work harder to solve the mystery and protect the children.

Detective Adam Karadec works closely with Morgan on the missing children case, showing mutual respect and strong teamwork. He issues the AMBER Alert after Wendell's body is found, and together with Morgan, they investigate leads including the involvement of Mia's father, John Ashford. Karadec also experiences a tense moment when Morgan tranquilizes him to prevent him from being poisoned during a related investigation, highlighting the dangers they face.

The team investigates John Ashford, Mia's father, as a potential suspect in a ransom scheme related to the missing girls. Clues include his presence during Mia's report to the police, his ownership of a hotel, and suspicious behavior uncovered during the investigation. Morgan finds evidence while dusting a cabinet at the Ashford mansion, which reveals Wendell's affection for his daughters and hints at tensions involving Ashford, adding complexity to the case.

Wendell is portrayed as a radical environmentalist who wanted to live off the grid with his daughters, which led to his estrangement from Mia. His body is discovered in a greenhouse, escalating the urgency of the investigation. Wendell's death shifts the case from a missing persons investigation to a potential homicide, increasing the stakes and urgency for Morgan and the team to find the girls before they are harmed.

The TV show High Potential, Season 1, Episode 4 ("Survival Mode") is rated TV-14, indicating it is generally suitable for viewers aged 14 and older but may contain material inappropriate for younger children.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers in this episode and the series overall may include:

• Crime and violence: As a crime drama, the show involves investigations of serious crimes, which may include depictions or references to violence, threats, or criminal behavior.

• Mature themes: The series explores complex family dynamics, including issues like teenage pregnancy and disappearance of a family member, which might be emotionally intense.

• Language and tone: While not explicitly detailed for this episode, TV-14 shows often contain moderate language and tense situations.

• Emotional intensity: The protagonist's personal struggles and the high-stakes nature of crime-solving can create suspense and emotional tension that might be unsettling for sensitive viewers.

No explicit spoilers are revealed here, but parents or sensitive viewers should be aware that the show's crime procedural format and mature themes may not be suitable for young children or those sensitive to crime-related content.