The Task Finale Was ‘A Still Small Voice’ for Redemption and Forgiveness

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This article discusses, in detail, the finale of HBO’s Task.

The conclusion to Brad Ingelsby’s *Task*, the follow-up to *Mare of Easttown*, delivered the thrills viewers expected. The first 40 minutes were packed with action – shootings, confrontations, and deaths – though none were as emotionally devastating as Robbie’s death in the previous episode. Supporting characters received reasonably satisfying resolutions. Aleah showed her dedication to Lizzie by relentlessly pursuing Grasso, and in doing so, discovered her own inner strength. Kath remained loyal to her team, despite the frustrations of her superiors.

The final part of the episode, titled “A Still Small Voice” (a reference to a biblical story about how God reveals himself), took a more thoughtful and emotional turn. Here, the writer skillfully connected the show’s central ideas of forgiveness, finding redemption, and even facing consequences to the main character’s history with the priesthood. Each character’s story highlighted a different part of this message, but the main takeaway from the show is that we always have the ability to make amends and forgive others, no matter what has happened in the past.

Jayson damns himself twice over

Even after Jayson Wilkes (Sam Keeley) initiated the violent events of last week, ignoring Perry’s (Jamie McShane) direct order to stop, some viewers might have still hoped he possessed some goodness. The series finale shattered that hope. While hiding together, Jayson and Perry were both tense, their close relationship strained. The leaders of Dark Hearts wanted Jayson eliminated and offered Perry a chance to save himself by killing him. However, when Perry had the chance, he couldn’t go through with it – a decision that proved deadly. Jayson soon discovered Perry was responsible for Eryn’s (Margarita Levieva) death and fatally stabbed him, whispering, “I know what you did,” with a surprising gentleness. Even as he was being murdered, Perry remained loyal to Jayson, warning him about the approaching Dark Hearts and giving him time to escape.

Before things turned dangerous, Perry discovered Robbie had hidden his drug money at Maeve’s house. Immediately after killing his mentor, Jayson went there to steal it, no matter the cost. However, the seriously injured Grasso was already at the house, and officers Tom and Aleah were close behind. As Tom and Aleah approached Jayson with their guns drawn, he used Maeve as a shield – he clearly would have shot her to escape with the money. Jayson didn’t notice Grasso in a car behind him, and Grasso shot him right before passing out. We’ll have more details on that later.

Jayson is arguably the most unlikeable character in *Task*, but the show, known for its empathy, still allows us to see his humanity. He’s deeply selfish and struggles with his emotions – his actions, like killing Robbie’s brother Billy over an affair with Eryn, have devastating consequences. However, his fury at Eryn’s murder and hurt over Perry’s betrayal hint at a capacity for love and a sense of right and wrong, suggesting he *could* have changed. Sadly, that change comes too late.

Grasso finds redemption

Look, Anthony Grasso isn’t a monster, but he’s definitely made some monstrous choices. The finale finally pulls back the curtain on his motivations, and it’s…complicated. He admits to being a Dark Hearts informant, and his reasoning is heartbreaking – he was trying to secure a safe future for his sister and her kids, escaping an awful situation, and get their mother the care she deserved. Does it excuse the pain he inflicted? Absolutely not. Lizzie’s death was a brutal reminder of how dangerous his betrayal always was, and it cost him a potential soulmate. However, the script does offer him a sliver of redemption. Even after barely surviving a shootout that tragically claims Mike’s life, instead of seeking medical attention, he races to warn Maeve about the incoming threat. He ultimately makes the ultimate sacrifice, taking a bullet meant for her, and in doing so, saves her life. It’s a messy, tragic end for a deeply flawed character.

He knew he couldn’t escape Tom and Aleah, and it seems he didn’t even want to. He confided in Mike, after Mike tried to kill him, that he was about to reveal everything to OPS. This conversation highlights the weight of that decision. When Grasso questioned how Mike could commit such terrible acts for so long, Mike explained he’d found ways to justify them – he’d funded his sons’ college educations. This reasoning mirrors Grasso’s own internal calculations. Without Lizzie’s death forcing him to face the consequences, Grasso might have been preparing to kill his own student a decade or two later.

After the fight at Maeve’s, Grasso asks Tom, “Are you going to make me pay for what I did?” Tom responds that people already punish themselves enough. He reminds Grasso that he’d previously explained confession isn’t about satisfying God, but about helping people cope with their own shame. If you believe in God, Tom argues, simply asking for forgiveness is enough, since God already knows everything. However, even genuine remorse won’t free Grasso from the lasting guilt he feels about Lizzie.

Maeve’s ending is an auspicious new beginning

Maeve, Robbie’s niece, is arguably the most relatable character in *Task*, thanks to Emilia Jones’ incredibly genuine acting and the difficult situation she’s been forced into. Though she didn’t ask for any of this, she feels too connected to her family to leave. Early in the season, she asks Robbie, “What have you done to us?” – a line that highlights her innocence and his responsibility for their troubles. Robbie became an accidental killer and kidnapper, initially only intending to steal drug money to avenge his brother. Despite his mistakes, he unintentionally created a better future for Maeve.

As the police have pointed out, Maeve is legally connected to Robbie’s crimes, and she also has the money he stole. Fortunately, Robbie showed her kindness before his capture, allowing her to escape with her uncle’s children and the stolen funds to start a new life. This act of mercy stems from an earlier event – Robbie briefly kidnapped Tom, an FBI agent pursuing him. Instead of harming Tom, Robbie asked for a favor: he wanted to ensure Maeve wouldn’t be punished for his mistakes. Tom agreed, and Robbie recognized him as a good man. Robbie’s faith in Tom was justified, even though he wouldn’t live to see Tom fulfill his promise.

Despite Robbie’s objections, Tom decided to help Maeve because he believes there’s a difference between legal rules and true morality. As he explained to a coworker, Robbie forced Maeve into a difficult situation, and imprisoning her could create even more vulnerable children, like Sam. In the final episode, Tom sees the money offered to him but chooses not to take it. He later tells his boss, Kath, that wisdom means knowing when to ignore things. If her father and uncle were still alive, Maeve could be enjoying her youth and pursuing her goals. Now, at least, becoming a young mother will be a little easier for her.

Tom learns to be unselfish with his love

The show’s portrayal of Tom’s relationship with his adopted son, Ethan, felt somewhat overdone. Ethan, who suffered from mental illness, had killed Tom’s wife, and the resulting drama – including his sister Emily’s unwavering support and Tom’s refusal to see him in prison – felt more like a complex philosophical question than a realistic situation. It raised the difficult issue of whether a parent could ever forgive a child for such a horrific act, especially if the child wasn’t fully responsible for their actions.

Following the task-force assignment, Tom reaches a turning point and decides to be honest. He tells Emily they need to tell the truth, even if it’s difficult or upsets people. At Ethan’s hearing, he confesses that he sometimes felt ashamed of being Ethan’s father, before Ethan’s mood disorder was effectively treated with medication. It’s also revealed that Ethan didn’t choose to stop taking his medication; a shortage during the pandemic forced him to. In a moving moment, Tom directly addresses Ethan, telling him, “I forgive you. I love you.” While Tom doesn’t have control over Ethan’s release, he promises to be there for him: “Come straight home when that day comes.” This scene nicely captures the show’s theme of forgiveness, though it would have been good to see Ethan’s story and his relationship with Tom explored more throughout the series.

The show’s central ideas come together powerfully in the resolution of young Sam’s story. Tom clearly cherishes having Sam in his life, but realistically, taking on the responsibility of raising him would be a huge challenge. Tom is an older man, struggling with personal problems, and already dealing with a lot – a daughter going through a divorce, another still at home, and a son about to move back. His friend, Father Daniel, wisely advises him to prioritize what’s best for Sam, even if it’s not what Tom wants. Ultimately, Tom makes the difficult decision to let Sam go. While this storyline isn’t explicitly about forgiveness, true forgiveness means putting someone else’s needs before your own. This choice brings Tom a sense of peace, perhaps for the first time since his wife died. The final scene of the show is simple but moving: Tom looks out the window of his dark house, toward the bright garden, and a faint smile appears on his face as he breathes a sigh of relief. It’s not a nuanced ending, but it’s a deeply satisfying one.

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2025-10-20 06:07