5 Questions We Have After Watching the Premiere of HBO’s Mare of Easttown Follow-Up Task

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In simpler terms, “Task” is a series that takes place in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia and focuses on a detective struggling with a heartbreaking family loss as he unravels a disturbing violent crime.

Nearly five years since the groundbreaking series “Mare” captivated television audiences, creator Brad Ingelsby returns with another limited series crime drama that’s sure to attract fans of his earlier work. The new show, titled “Task“, features Mark Ruffalo as a disillusioned ex-priest-turned-FBI agent named Tom Brandis and Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergrast, a hardworking family man who moonlights as a petty criminal. “Task” tells a story of cops and robbers, offering an empathetic portrayal of both main characters.

As a fervent supporter, I can’t help but express my sentiment that we seldom encounter narratives centered around blue-collar individuals. Frankly, it’s a recurring issue for me. It seems to me that this particular segment of society, this class of people, often gets sidelined and undervalued. When they do appear in the spotlight, their stories lack the nuance, compassion, and intricacy that I believe they merit.

Instead of “Mare” being a whodunnit, “Task” takes on a cat-and-mouse thriller style, a difference that was evident from the start in its series premiere on HBO on Sunday. The opening montage subtly hinted at some shared aspects between the two principal characters, setting the stage for an impending confrontation between them.

At the close of the hour, it was determined that Tom would head a team tasked with locating the criminals responsible for a series of violent gangland drug-house robberies. Tragically, the most recent incident claimed the lives of three members from a notorious biker group called the Dark Hearts and one of their accomplices. However, without our knowledge up until now, Tom has been assigned to track down Robbie, an ordinary garbage man, and his friend Cliff, portrayed by Raúl Castillo, who are suspected to be the perpetrators.

In his conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, Ingelsby expressed that the dilemma in the story is that you find yourself rooting for both characters, Robbie and Tom. You hope Robbie escapes, while also wanting Tom to succeed. However, it’s clear that these outcomes cannot coexist.

Here are five of the biggest questions we have after watching the Task premiere.

What did Tom’s son do?

It’s clear that the incident Ethan, Tom’s son, has been involved in has caused significant issues within the family, particularly affecting his relationship with his sister Emily (Silvia Dionicio). The incident seems to have deeply affected Tom, leading him to take a break from work and resort to heavy drinking as a means of coping.

The crime Ethan allegedly committed is said to have taken place within the family circle, making the impact statements from the family members crucial at the sentencing hearing. The potential sentence for this crime could range from five to 15 years in prison. So, it appears that Ingelsby has written another story involving a tragic family event.

What happened to Robbie’s brother?

Robbie now resides at his late brother Billy’s former residence with his own kids, Harper (Kennedy Moyer) and Wyatt (Oliver Eisenson), along with his 21-year-old niece Maeve (Emilia Jones). Yet, there’s a palpable strain between Robbie and Maeve, as the ownership of the house remains contentious. It appears that Maeve was privy to her father’s questionable dealings, and it seems we’ll soon uncover more about how Billy’s demise is connected to these events.

Why did Tom leave the priesthood?

From Tom’s conversations with his priest friend Daniel (Isaach De Bankolé), it is apparent that he is grappling with a faith crisis following the unfortunate events affecting his family. However, the specific circumstances that prompted him to switch careers from being a clergyman to an FBI agent remain vague.

Why did Deric know Robbie’s voice?

During the botched heist, I found myself, as a member of Dark Hearts (specifically, Deric or Dominic Colón), recognizing Robbie’s voice, surprisingly, even though he was masked for anonymity. Additionally, my suspicions were raised towards Cliff and Robbie when they had previously rummaged through my trash a few days prior. Connecting these dots, it seems plausible that perhaps Robbie has some ties with the Dark Hearts, potentially involving him in their affairs or even leading to his demise at their hands. This could explain why I’ve encountered him before.

What’s going to happen to Sam?

After discovering that Sam (Ben Lewis Doherty), Deric’s son, was present during the murders, Robbie took Sam to his own residence, providing himself and Cliff with time to strategize their next move. However, since Sam has witnessed their identities, it’s clear they can’t simply release him if they aim to evade punishment for their crimes. Yet, considering Robbie’s bond with his own children, one might question his capacity for such a heinous act – indeed, quite the predicament.

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2025-09-08 13:06