Here we are, the final episode of TASK has arrived, and I was eager to see how the scintillating story would wrap up. We’ve seen compelling characters playing multiple angles and the beautifully tragic woven tapestry of storylines. One big standout for me this whole season has been the absolutely brilliant cinematography and shot framing. Various natural aspects featured frequently, including water, greenery, and animals, and I found it all quite delightful and well done. But it’s time to wrap up our story, so let’s dig in.
“We owe that much to Lizzie.”
Aleah (Thuso Mbedu) and Tom (Mark Ruffalo) are discussing the traitor, Grasso (Fabien Frankel), and how he’s a sneaky little rat. My words, not theirs, but still true. She’s determined to follow through and bring Grasso to justice. But they need their firearms back, which means meeting with the boss, Kathleen (Martha Plimpton). She gets the guns for them, and the duo heads out to Cliff’s (Raúl Castillo) car wreck in the park, where they find a busted burner phone. Not to mention, Grasso swiped the other phone of importance. But all is not lost. Cell towers can be pinged, and Kathleen gets a hold of the real one and asks a suck up lowerling to do what needs doing. Aleah and Tom are on their way to get their rat. But Kathleen still seems hinky to me. It’s either a really good red herring or an unfinished plot. I hope we get another season, and it’s the second option. 
Meanwhile, the motorcycle club has a meeting, letting Grasso’s superior (Raphael Sbarge, pictured) know they need to clean house. Ruh-roh, Grasso. This is why you shouldn’t get involved with gangs. But that’s not the only thing on the gang’s social calendar. They’re tracking the drugs sold out of Reading and where the money ended up. Ruh-roh, Maeve (Emilia Jones). She hides the money in the chicken coop with the feed. But it’s only a matter of time before someone shows up.
There’s another gang mess that needs to be cleaned up. Perry (Jamie McShane) is having a hard time killing his protege, Jayson (Sam Keeley). But it’s also a matter of time before Jayson finds out he killed his wife, Eryn (Margarita Levieva). Her body has now been found, and holding some pretty damning evidence. Though Perry has cracked the code of Maeve having the money, will it be enough? The powder keg is loaded, and the fuse is lit. What will happen when it all blows? Not to mention, Donna (Stephanie Kurtzuba) has caught wind and alerted higher-ups to Perry’s location to protect Maeve. Good woman. In the end, it doesn’t matter. The higher-ups arrive in time for Jayson to kill Perry and successfully slip away. 
The family content was quite heart-warming this episode. Showing how Sam (Ben Lewis Doherty) is settling in with the family and getting some reassurance from Emily (Silvia Dionicio) and Sara (Phoebe Fox). It’s adorable watching them set up his room together, helping give Sam a place of his own. They talk about Ethan (Andrew Russel), and Sara recalls his kindness and thoughtfulness. You can tell Emily needed to hear it, and Sam needs to have a warm, loving family around him. But will it be this one? And Grasso checks in with his own family, his sister, and nephews. The truth is that what he did is eating him alive, and he doesn’t want to carry this anymore. He’s gonna come clean tomorrow, if he makes it to then.
“Is there still time for me to say this isn’t a good idea?”
Everyone decides it’s time to have a party at Grasso’s. First, his superior shows up to kill him. And then one of the higher-ups in the club kills that guy, and Grasso kills him. Plus, Tom and Aleah are on the way. He makes his escape, but not without an injury. But he realizes they’re all coming for Maeve, and he wants to make things right. Unfortunately, Jayson got their first. After locking the kids downstairs, he makes Maeve take him to get the money. Aleah and Tom arrive and go to sweep the house. Grasso tells Tom that Jayson’s there. During the sweep, Aleah faces a fight for her life and comes out the winner. The tension was utterly palpable. Maeve fights for her life, and I was cheering her on. But she’s not the only brave one. Harper (Kennedy Moyer) slips out and tells her brother she’s going to go tell the officer about Jayson. The question is which officer? Turns out to be Grasso, who pulls a little sneaky rat maneuver and kills Jayson, but dies in the process.
Just kidding! He’s alive. He’s here with us. But the money is not? Turns out the money was never found. Isn’t that interesting…particularly after Tom opens the bag in front of Maeve… You’re a good man, Tom. Letting her keep the money means she’ll be able to leave and be free of all of this. Speaking of Tom being a good man, he also apologizes to Emily for how she’s had to take care of him. No teenager should have to do that, and it’s really something to get an apology like that. But the family is healing and approaching this statement together. Tom ultimately reads it, but the gist is that Ethan is schizophrenic, and during the pandemic, his meds ran out due to a shortage. The voices in his head drove him to kill his adopted mother. But Tom wants to heal things and be there for him whenever he gets out.
“I forgive you. I love you.”
The episode ends with lots of fresh starts. The drinking cup has been retired as a bird feeder. Sam has found a new family. While Tom did a great thing, his family is not done healing and needs space to process that, not bring another child into it. And while it was good for everyone for a time, that doesn’t mean it would be the best in the long term. It’s not an easy goodbye. On the other hand, I would imagine Maeve is quite eager to get out of Dodge and settle somewhere new. And speaking of new, Tom gives Ethan’s room a fresh coat of paint. It is quite the end to a magnificent season.
The show has not yet been confirmed for a second season, though it sounds like the creator, Brad Ingelsby, is open to another season if HBO wants it. I hope so. I found the show to be beautifully shot, full of compelling characters, and wonderfully written and directed. I will watch Mark Ruffalo in anything, so sign me up.
