Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the intense face-off between Tom Pelphrey and Mark Ruffalo in the latest episode of Task!
SPOILER ALERT: Major details ahead for Task Episode 5, 'Vagrants'!
In this week's episode, we witness the collision of two parallel storylines, as Robbie Prendergrast, played by the talented Tom Pelphrey, and Tom Brandis, portrayed by the legendary Mark Ruffalo, finally cross paths. But here's where it gets controversial... their first encounter is not what you'd expect.
Robbie, an FBI agent, arrives at his family home, only to find his niece, Maeve, missing. Her fingerprints were discovered on a bucket left by a kidnapped child, Sam, last week. Sensing the danger, Robbie takes Brandis hostage, forcing him to drive to a remote location. During this tense journey, the two men engage in a profound conversation about life, love, and the losses they've endured.
Tom Pelphrey, in an exclusive interview with DECIDER, described this scene as one of his favorites. He praised the 'trust' given to actors by the series creator, Brad Ingelsby, allowing them to explore the depths of their characters' emotions. Pelphrey explained how the scene, though seemingly superficial, delves into the unspoken thoughts and feelings of Robbie and Brandis. It's a conversation that takes place 'up here,' he said, pointing to his head, 'even though everything is happening down here.'
The episode director, Jeremiah Zagar, also shared his admiration for this scene, calling it his favorite in the entire show. He highlighted the raw, intimate nature of the conversation, stripped of any cinematic artifice. 'It's just two close-ups, watching human beings discuss things we all wish we could talk about,' Zagar said. 'A rare, emotionally potent moment between two people who would never otherwise have this opportunity.'
Pelphrey further elaborated on the scene's authenticity, revealing that they were in a real car, driving on a real highway, in sweltering heat. 'Everything was as real as it could get,' he said. 'We were playing the scene in a rearview mirror, catching each other's eyes, and it was beautiful.'
Zagar compared the scene to a campfire, where, in the soft light, people can share their deepest thoughts. 'It's a rare moment of vulnerability and connection,' he added.
Eventually, Robbie releases Brandis, leaving him in a park where he can call for help. But Brandis and his task force are relentless. They track Robbie to a remote hunting lodge, where he's holed up with a bag full of money, awaiting his rendezvous with the Dark Hearts.
The second face-off between Pelphrey and Ruffalo's characters occurs in the final moments of Episode 5. So, what happens? Well, all three main storylines are about to converge by a woodland stream. Robbie has taken refuge in an old family hunting cabin, ready to confront the Dark Hearts. Meanwhile, the Dark Hearts are closing in on their prey, and Brandis and his task force have arrived to secure the area and capture Robbie.
In the episode's climactic scene, Tom finds Robbie by a stream, and, unaware of the danger he's leading the Dark Hearts into, he points a gun at Robbie and yells his name. Robbie, horrified, pulls out his own gun and points it at Tom. The two men stand off, their voices muffled by panic. 'Get on the ground! Do it!' Brandis yells. 'Robbie! Get on the ground!'
The episode ends with Tom crying out, 'It's over!' as the camera closes in on Robbie's determined face.
Next week's Task picks up right where Episode 5 left off, a seamless transition despite being directed by different people. Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, the directors of Episodes 5 and 6 respectively, worked closely to ensure a smooth handover. 'It was easy to trust that we could make it work, with Brad [Ingelsby] unifying the story elements,' Zagar said. 'We both shot versions of the end of Episode 5 and the start of Episode 6, so they do collide.'
Richardson-Whitfield added, 'We had a lot of discussion to make sure we had the same vision.'
And this is the part most people miss... Task Episode 5 also reveals a shocking twist! Anthony Grasso, played by Fabien Frankel, has been a mole working for the Dark Hearts within law enforcement the whole time! Last week's ominous phone call from Kathleen McGinty (Martha Plimpton) was a red herring. Not only did Grasso steal Ray's phone and give it to the Dark Hearts, but he also set up Cliff Browder (Raúl Castillo).
So, what does this mean for the task force as they head into a battle with the Dark Hearts? It's not looking good. With a mole embedded within their ranks, the task force is in a vulnerable position.
Will Robbie shoot Tom? How will the task force handle this internal threat? These questions and more will be answered in the upcoming episodes of Task. Stay tuned and join the discussion! What are your thoughts on this intense face-off and the shocking twist? We'd love to hear your theories in the comments!
