When Brad Ingelsby, the creator of HBO's crime drama Task, dropped a bombshell in episode 5, the series finally exposed its inside man.
Plot Twists That Redefined the Season
Episode 4, titled “All Roads,” set the stage with a nervous hunt for an informant inside the task force. Detective Tom, a former priest turned cop, started suspecting betrayal after a cellphone swap gone wrong – a phone emblazoned with a Philadelphia Flyers wallpaper vanished at the last minute.
Then episode 5, “Vagrants,” earned the Esquire headline "TV's Best Cliff‑Hanger of the Year" when it confirmed that Fabien Frankel's character, Anthony Grasso, was the mole feeding intel to the criminal syndicate known as the Dark Hearts.
Frankel, who many remembered as Sir Criston Cole from House of the Dragon, now finds himself tangled in a web of double‑crosses that mirrors his previous on‑screen betrayals. The reveal came after viewers noticed the inconsistencies in the phone‑swap stunt from episode 4 – Jayson’s phone, the one with the Flyers wallpaper, was switched with a decoy, and the real device never made it back to evidence.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Dark Hearts dispatched assassins who brutally killed Cliff (Raúl Castillo) when he refused to spill Robbie’s location. That murder sent shockwaves through the task force and forced everyone to reconsider whom they could trust.
Character Arcs and Family Dynamics
Detective Tom (played by Tom Pelphrey) carries a complex backstory: once a chaplain who read Last Rites in a hospital, he now wrestles with his own moral compass. His marriage to Susan, a patient‑rights advocate, adds another layer of tension because she’s an outspoken atheist, making family dinners feel like theological debates.
Robbie, portrayed by Pelphrey as well, is a troubled felon whose relationship with his daughter crumbles after she assumes he won’t attend her school dance. That misunderstanding highlights the series’ core theme – the cost of absent fathers.
Maeve, another key player, gives Tom an ultimatum: turn in Sam by morning or she’ll do it herself. Her decisive stance earned her the rare description of “the only one acting with any sense around town” from The AV Club.
Even the natural world gets symbolic weight. In a poignant scene, Tom spots a summer tanager far north of its normal range in Pennsylvania. He likens the bird to Robbie – a “vagrant” who has strayed too far and may never find its way home.
Critical Reception and Industry Impact
Critics have lauded Task for blending procedural intrigue with intimate family drama. The AV Club praised the series for “throwing a curveball in its best episode yet,” while Esquire crowned the cliff‑hanger “the best of the year.”
Viewership numbers reflect the buzz: episode 5 drew 2.3 million live viewers, a 12 % jump from episode 4, and streaming figures on HBO Max added another 1.1 million plays within 24 hours.
- Creator: Brad Ingelsby (formerly “Maid” writer)
- Lead actors: Fabien Frankel, Tom Pelphrey
- Key twist: Anthony Grasso revealed as mole
- Location focus: Pennsylvania’s Bushkill woods
- Critical acclaim: “Best cliff‑hanger” award from Esquire
What the Mole Reveal Means for Future Episodes
The exposure of Grasso as the informant reshapes the power dynamics within the task force. Tom now has to decide whether to keep Grasso alive for further intel or hand him over to the FBI, represented by Agent Lee Whitehead (Lee Whitehead), who was captured alongside Ray earlier this season.
Meanwhile, the Dark Hearts’ bold move in killing Cliff suggests they’re not just a peripheral threat; they’re a full‑blown syndicate willing to take out law‑enforcement collaborators. Expect the next few episodes to feature more “vagrant” moments – characters wandering toward moral dead‑ends while the series asks whether redemption is even possible.
Fans are also watching the budding alliance between Shelley, who’s helping Robbie move narcotics for cash, and the task force. That uneasy partnership could become a ticking time‑bomb, especially if Shelley’s bail‑fund motives clash with the force’s objectives.
Background on ‘Task’ and Its Creative Team
“Task” debuted on HBO in March 2024, positioning itself as a gritty, character‑driven crime saga set against the backdrop of Pennsylvania’s rugged forests and small‑town politics. Brad Ingelsby, known for his work on the critically acclaimed limited series “Maid,” wanted to explore “the idea that the hardest crimes are the ones we commit against our own families.”
The series benefits from production support by HBO’s New York Studios and on‑location shooting in the real Bushkill area, adding authentic pine‑scented atmosphere that fans have praised.
Casting director Sofia Caro secured Fabien Frankel after his breakout on “House of the Dragon,” while Tom Pelphrey was brought on for his ability to portray conflicted, emotionally raw characters – a skill he showcased in “Ozark.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the mole revelation affect the main storyline?
The discovery that Anthony Grasso is the mole forces Detective Tom to reassess his trust network, potentially turning a former ally into a liability. It also gives the Dark Hearts a new bargaining chip, heightening tension for the upcoming episodes.
Which characters are most likely to be impacted by the Dark Hearts’ actions?
Robbie, Shelley, and Cliff’s remaining allies are at risk. The Dark Hearts have already shown they’ll kill a key informant, so anyone connected to the mole or to the drug‑moving operation could become targets.
What real‑world locations are featured in the series?
Most of the action is shot in the Bushkill region of Pennsylvania, with specific scenes staged in the dense woods near the Delaware River and the small town of East Stroudsburg.
Why are family themes central to ‘Task’?
Creator Brad Ingelsby designed the series to examine how criminal choices ripple through personal relationships. The show repeatedly pits fathers against their children – Tom versus Sam, Robbie versus his daughter – to highlight moral ambiguity.
What can viewers expect in the next episode?
Anticipate a showdown in the Bushkill woods where Tom confronts Grasso, while the Dark Hearts regroup. Expect more revelations about the mole’s motives and a possible raid that could shift the balance of power.