HBO's "Task" finale recap - exceptionally one of the best dramas on TV

Reel Perspectives

October 20, 2025

Mark Ruffalo. An incredible talent who has often been overlooked and underappreciated thoughout his career. He delievers an Emmy worthy performance in HBO's new drama "Task" which concluded its seven-episode series on Sunday.

Created and written by Brad Ingelsby, who brought us the acclaimed series Mare of Easttown in 2021, "Task" brings emotional catharsis to the forefront and reminds us what humanity looks like in the face of blatant indifference.

Redemption and Forgiveness. The central thread of the series anchored by Ruffalo's phenomenal performance as weary FBI agent Tom Brandis, bogged down by the death of his wife, Susan, at the hands of his adopted son Ethan. The ramications has emotionally crippled him as a man and father, leading to a fractured relationshp wth his two daughters. Ruffalo, with a perfect command of his character, and also serving as executive producer, gives one of the most emotionally charged performances of his career when he ultimately decides to forgive his son, releasing them both from years of guilt and shame that have suffocated them both.

The series could have easily ended in episode 6 with the fallout from the drama surrounding Dark Hearts that resulted in Lizzie (Alison Oliver) and Robbie's (Tom Pelphrey) deaths due to task agent Anthony Grasso's (Fabien Frankel) betrayal, teasing a second season. But no, Ingelsby has meticulously crafted Brandis' emotional arc so it was only fitting that it ended with his journey. The finale quickly got to the meat and potatoes of adrenaline rush and action-packed scenes were everyone from Dark Hearts met their demise including Perry (Jamie McShane) who murdered Jayson's girlfriend, Eryn (Margarita Levieva).

Grasso, after he was apprehended after killing Jayson (Sam Keeley) and stopped him from killing Maeve (Emilia Jones), sought penance for being a dirty cop. Surprisngly, he showed insourmatabe guilt for being an infomant for the Dark Hearts, revealing that he started as a good guy who got caught up in the trappings of needing money to provide for his family. There were no scene chewing scenes of Brandis asking the "whys" or the "how could yous" because Ingelsby knew it wasn't necessary. Like Brandis said, "People beat themselves up enough on their own." Was Grasso a bad guy? The excellent writing showed he wasn't just a black and white character but a flawed character who made horrible decisions.

"Task" has done the unthinkable. Ingelsby made Grasso a sympathetic character, and it's not a bad thing. He was able to possibly redeem himself by saving Maeve, and even though he may never find the absolution he seeks, at least it was the start. The parallels of Grasso and Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey) are striking. Both found themselves in bad situations that escalated beyond their control. Both tempted by money to live a better life and provide for their loved ones. Both ended tragically, and in Robbie's case, he lost his life because of it. It would be a crime not to mention the outstanding performance by Pelphrey, who consistently delivered grit and nuance in every scene. His fantastic portrayal of an assuming "family man" who's bad decision to rob trap houses snowballed with deadly consequences, pulled you in and made you hope he got his happy ending.

Tom has the painful decision of choosing to continue to care for Sam or to release him to a foster family, and this is where the series takes its time, with slow precision to analyze Tom's motives leading up to Ethan's hearing to determine if he should go free. A choice that many other shows would overlook. Throughout the seven episodes, Ethan's sister Emily (Silvia Dionicio) deliberated on offering a statement to procure Ethan's release, creating tension between her and her sister, Sarah (Phoebe Fox).

Tom instead chooses to offer a gut wrenching statement and forgive his son releasing him from the shackles of shame and emotional bondage in scenes that were powerful, heartfelt, and worthy of Emmy consideration.

"Task" is a rare gem. A series that makes you think and makes you wish that the series was given the standard 8-10 episodes to further explore the backstories of the characters with moral complexities, healing, faith, and forgiveness.

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All seven episodes of "Task" is streaming now on HBO MAX.

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