Just like long-form journalism, television mini-series offer a fantastic opportunity to delve deeply into complex subjects. They provide ample time to craft a rich, detailed story without unnecessarily dragging out the narrative. Brad Ingelsby, known for his work on ‘Mare of Easttown,’ brings us ‘Task,’ another compelling series set in Pennsylvania’s working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. This seven-part mini-series primarily follows an investigation into a string of drug house robberies, but it also masterfully explores the intricate lives and circumstances that push its characters onto their respective paths.
Our introduction to the series is through Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), an FBI campus recruiter currently on leave following a personal tragedy. His boss, Kathleen (Martha Plimpton), quickly pulls him back into action, entrusting him with leading a special task force. Their mission: investigate a disturbing wave of robberies targeting drug houses. Tom’s team includes Delaware County Detective Anthony Grasso (Fabien Frankel), Chester Detective Sergeant Aleah Clinton (Thuso Mbedu), and State Trooper Lizzie Stover (Alison Oliver).
Tom Pelphrey and Mark Ruffalo in a scene from ‘Task’ (Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery)
Meanwhile, we’re introduced to the perpetrators: Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), Cliff Broward (Raúl Castillo), and Peaches (Owen Teague) as they strategize their next heist. Robbie and Cliff cleverly leverage their day jobs as garbage collectors to scout potential targets. We soon discover that Robbie’s brother, Billy (Jack Kesy), a member of the notorious ‘Dark Hearts’ motorcycle gang, has died.
Following his wife’s departure, Robbie moves into Billy’s house with his own children, Wyatt (Oliver Eisenson) and Harper (Kennedy Moyer). There, they live with Billy’s 21-year-old daughter, Maeve (Emilia Jones), who, despite her young age, possesses a remarkable maturity and diligently looks after Robbie’s kids.
However, their subsequent robbery takes a catastrophic turn. Instead of cash, Robbie and Cliff are left with a shocking discovery: multiple bodies, a young boy named Sam (Ben Doherty), and a large cache of drugs. This series of hits on their drug houses throws the Delaware chapter of the ‘Dark Hearts’ into disarray. The national leadership is deeply displeased with Jayson’s (Sam Keeley) command, though his powerful mentor, Per (Jamie McShane), another boss within the gang, advocates for giving Jayson a second chance.
Task Season 1 Details:
- Creator: Brad Ingelsby
- Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Alison Oliver, Owen Teague, Silvia Dionicio, Martha Plimpton, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Phoebe Fox
- Runtime: 58 – 65 minutes per episode
- Episodes: 7
- Storyline: A former priest now leading an FBI task force investigates a string of robberies, uncovering a complex web of crime and personal struggles.
In ‘Task,’ there are no clear-cut heroes or villains; much like real life, every character is burdened with their own emotional baggage. Tom, for instance, was once a Roman Catholic priest who transitioned into the FBI. His adopted son, Ethan (Andrew Russel), is incarcerated for the tragic death of Tom’s wife, Susan (Mireille Enos). Ethan’s sister and Tom’s adopted daughter, Emily (Silvia Dionicio), lives under the constant pressure of feeling indebted.
Each member of Tom’s team faces their own personal battles: Aleah is a survivor of an abusive marriage, grappling with PTSD. Lizzie has separated from her husband, and on her very first day with the task force, Tom, Aleah, and Anthony overhear her heated argument with him over household belongings. Anthony, raised Catholic, struggles with a complicated relationship with his faith.
The series is rich with poignant discussions about forgiveness, a fitting theme given that the robberies are driven by a desire for vengeance following a death. We’re left to ponder: Can Maeve forgive Robbie for jeopardizing his own children? Will Tom ever truly forgive Ethan for his actions? And what about Tom and Susan’s biological daughter, Sara (Phoebe Fox)—can she find it within herself to forgive Ethan? As a former priest, Tom possesses a unique understanding of sin and redemption, offering a powerful perspective when he states, ‘It is easy to talk about forgiveness when it’s not your loss.’
In a powerful exchange, when Anthony inquires about the sacrament of confession, Tom explains, ‘Confession is for humans to help us deal with the shame. If you want to be forgiven, all you have to do is ask.’ This contrasts sharply with Robbie’s despairing confession to Tom, ‘I never once felt God in my life,’ serving as a profound indictment of a perceived divine abandonment.
The performances are truly captivating: Ruffalo embodies a scruffy sadness, Pelphrey delivers tragic vengeance, and Jones portrays a brittle strength, all perfectly complementing the series’ stunning writing and drawing viewers deeply into the characters’ journeys. ‘Task’ is exquisitely shot, capturing the stark beauty of the countryside where hidden creeks conceal far more than just natural secrets. It stands as a bleak yet gripping exploration of crime and punishment, with much of the retribution delivered not by the justice system, but by the perpetrators themselves.
You can currently stream ‘Task’ on Jio Hotstar.