REVIEW: ‘Task’ Episode 7 — “A Still Small Voice”

Task Episode 7, “A Still Small Voice,” sees all the remaining strands of plot come together. With Robbie (Tom Pelphrey, Blindspot) dead and the money secretly with Maeve (Emilia Jones, Locke and Key), the Black Hearts are on the move. Meanwhile, Tom (Mark Ruffalo, The Adam Project) searches for proof of Grasso’s culpability while taking care of Sam and preparing his family for Ethan’s day in court. 

A satisfying ending is hard to come by. Pulling together plot strings, giving characters and themes their due, while bringing everything to a fitting conclusion, is a lot to ask of an hour of television. But while Task stumbled a bit in its opening episode, the finale suffers no such problems. Picking up all the pieces scattered across its story, Task Episode 7 delivers a fantastic conclusion that does its due diligence to everything that has built up to the final moments. 

The opening half of Task Episode 7 does an incredible job of building tension as it sets the stage for one final confrontation. Pieces continue to move into place as the various parties discover the final clues and set up their moves to apprehend those they seek.

Emilia Jones gives her strongest performance to date as Maeve in Task Episode 7.

The best scene in the opening half comes from Grasso (Fabien Frankel, House of the Dragon). Plagued with the knowledge that he got Lizzie killed, he goes to his sister’s house to let her know what’s happened and that he intends to turn himself in. Grasso’s grief is excellently portrayed as he comes clean to his sister about what he’s been up to. The scene casually weaves in the character’s motives for getting involved with the gang into the moment, exploring his reasons in a way that doesn’t feel selfish or forgiveness-seeking. 

Frankel does a superlative job portraying Grasso’s emotional collapse. The weight of what he’s done is just too much, and every moment is a burden for the character that comes through to the camera with vivid clarity. It is often said that we forge our own prisons; Grasso has definitely done so for himself. 

All the threads of the plot converge at Maeve’s house. When Jayson learns that she has the money, he heads there to get it and escape with his skin. But his arrival draws others too, leading to a tense sequence as Jayson takes Maeve hostage in a final bid to escape. 

Exploring Grasso’s grief and guilt offers closure and a fine opportunity for Fabien Frankel to flex his range.

Task Episode 7‘s climactic scene is nearly perfect. As Maeve tries to keep the kids safe from a thoroughly unhinged Jayson, Tom and Aleah (Thuso Mbedu, Castlevania Nocturne) arrive. Being warned of Jayson’s presence, the pair begins a slow search of the house, as Jayson tries desperately to evade the federal agents. 

Everything comes together so well throughout the bulk of this sequence. Camera work and acting manage to squeeze every ounce of tension and emotion it can from it. Jones particularly shines as Maeve, managing to mix terror with resolve. She imbues her role with one last fantastic scene, sealing her performance as a highlight of the series, despite her modest presence in it.

Sadly, the moment’s only failure comes with the final resolution of the scenario. Wanting to deliver a twist, the closing element tries too hard to surprise, providing a conclusion that feels like more than suspension of disbelief can absorb. This unfortunate decision tarnishes an otherwise superlative episode.

Capping Task Episode 7 is Mark Ruffalo’s nuanced performance in the courtroom.

With the case closed and danger passed, the final major beat that Task Episode 7 takes on is Ethan’s hearing. While a sub-plot of the series, many of the show’s most poignant moments revolve around the Brandis Family’s struggles concerning how they should handle the impending moment. This makes the scene a more important one than it could’ve been. And it manages to succeed as we see Ruffalo at his finest.

As the worn and emotionally exhausted FBI agent speaks on behalf of his son, Ruffalo delivers a reserved yet heartfelt moment. As he talks to the judge about both the good and the bad of his son’s life and the events that led him to the courtroom, the swirl of emotions set up by the excellent writing and Ruffalo’s delivery perfectly convey everything being experienced. Love, sadness, uncertainty, remorse, and hope are all jumbled up in the moment. This complicated performance is as powerful as it is nuanced. The perfect major beat to wrap up the series with. 

Task Episode 7 brings its tale to a powerful and fulfilling conclusion. Aside from a poor attempt at narrative sleight of hand, the series manages to deliver on everything that could be asked of it, as it caps off a truly phenomenal narrative. 

Task Episode 7 is streaming now on HBO Max.

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