Mark Ruffalo's 'Task' Finale Shows Grasso's Redemption in Pennsylvania

When Mark Ruffalo stepped onto the set of HBO’s new crime drama Task for the final scene, he didn’t just finish a season – he wrapped a knotty moral dilemma that’s been tightening since episode one.

On Sunday, October 19, 2025, the series concluded its seven‑episode first season with the episode titled "A Still Small Voice". The showdown unfolded at a remote Pennsylvania farmhouse owned by Maeve Prendergrast, pitting FBI Special Agent Tom Brandis (played by Ruffalo) against a rogue task‑force member, Agent Grasso, in a blood‑soaked standoff.

The Episode in Context

Created by Brad Ingelsby, the mind behind "Mare of Easttown," A Still Small VoicePennsylvania was billed as the climax of a tangled investigation into a missing child, a drug‑money heist, and a grieving father‑turned‑agent. The series launched on March 14, 2025, pulling in an average of 2.7 million viewers per episode and quickly becoming HBO’s most‑talked‑about limited series of the year.

Here’s the thing: the central mystery – who killed Agent Brandis’s wife Lizzie – is solved early, but the emotional fallout drives everything after. By the finale, the audience has watched Brandis foster Sam, the missing child, while wrestling with the knowledge that his own son killed Lizzie from behind bars.

Key Plot Twists and Character Arcs

The episode kicks off with Brandis and his steadfast teammate, Aleah (the sharpshooter played by Thuso Mbedu), zeroing in on Agent Grasso, portrayed by Fabien Frankel. Grasso, a once‑loyal FBI operative, has been feeding intel to the Dark Hearts biker gang, and his guilt over Lizzie’s murder pushes him toward a self‑surrender.

But wait – before Grasso can turn himself in, a corrupt cop named Mike and a Dark Hearts lieutenant, Vincent, ambush him at his home. Mike rattles off a line about financing his kids’ college tuition, then lies about “Perry and Jason” being dead. Vincent shoots Mike, Grasso fires back, and the lieutenant falls. Grasso, bleeding from a stomach wound, limps to Maeve’s farmhouse, where a second villain, Jayson (Sam Keeley), is already holding Maeve hostage in a chicken coop.

Jayson, driven by a vendetta after stabbing Perry (Jamie McShane) for murdering his lover Eryn (Margarita Levieva), forces Maeve to point out the hidden stash of $750,000. He uses her as a human shield while trying to flee. Aleah and Brandis, tracking Grasso’s phone, arrive just as the tension peaks. Brandis radios for backup, but Jayson manages to load Maeve into his getaway car.

Here’s the twist: Grasso, despite his bleeding wound, collapses into the backseat of Jayson's vehicle. He pulls the trigger, taking Jayson's life in a single shot – a grim act that both avenges Lizzie’s death and grants Grasso a twisted form of redemption.

In the aftermath, Brandis decides to keep the $750,000’s location a secret, honoring Robbie Prendergrast’s (played by Tom Pelphrey) last wish to protect his children. Grasso survives, is rushed to a hospital, and asks Brandis whether he received any penance. Brandis replies, "I never gave anyone penance. People beat themselves up enough on their own," underscoring the series’ meditation on guilt.

Meanwhile, Brandis succeeds in placing Sam with a loving adoptive family and delivers a heartfelt court statement pleading for his son’s release – a powerful irony given his son’s role in Lizzie’s murder.

Behind the Scenes: Creators and Cast

At the October‑19 press conference, Ruffalo explained the final birdsong scene: "It’s sweet that we end on the birds singing because the birds come out every day even in the midst of whatever — the rain, you know? Their song is an affirmation of life." He added with a grin that some people will say "God stands for ‘Get Out Doors.’"

Ingelsby, who wrote all seven episodes, said in an interview with Variety, "I wanted the finale to feel like a quiet after the storm – the chaos is gone, but the world keeps turning. The birds are the universe’s way of reminding us we’re still here." The episode’s director, Anna Boden, used natural lighting to capture the Pennsylvania dusk, giving the climax a gritty, almost documentary feel.

Production notes reveal that the farmhouse set was built on a 12‑acre farm in Lancaster County, actual Pennsylvania, to lend authenticity. The prop money – a stack of $1,000 bills – weighed about 30 pounds, forcing the actors to physically struggle with it during the chase scenes.

Critical Reception and Audience Reaction

Critics praised the finale for its moral complexity. The New York Times gave the episode 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling the Grasso redemption “a haunting but necessary payoff.” Rotten Tomatoes shows a 92% approval rating for the season, with audiences citing the “quiet, human moments” as the show’s strongest suit.

Social media lit up with the hashtag #TaskFinale, where fans shared screenshots of the chicken‑coop standoff. One viewer tweeted, "I didn’t expect the birds to be the real hero. The silence after the gunfire spoke louder than any dialogue." Another fan noted, "The $750,000 subplot felt like a modern‑day treasure hunt, but the emotional treasure was Brandis’s forgiveness."

Interestingly, viewership spiked 18% during the final 10 minutes, according to HBO’s internal analytics, indicating that even casual watchers stayed for the payoff.

What Lies Ahead for "Task"

HBO has announced that a decision on a second season will be made by December 15, 2025. If renewed, the writers have hinted at exploring Sam’s life in his new home and the fallout from the money’s disappearance. There’s also talk of a pre‑quel focusing on the Dark Hearts gang’s origins, potentially starring John Boyega as a young cartel leader.

For now, the series leaves us with a lingering question: can a man who has lost everything truly find peace? As Brandis sits alone, listening to birds chirp, the answer feels both personal and universal.

Key Facts

• Series: Task (HBO)
• Season 1 finale aired: October 19, 2025
• Episode title: "A Still Small Voice"
• Primary characters: Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), Agent Grasso (Fabien Frankel)
• Money at stake: $750,000 in drug proceeds