Task star Mark Ruffalo (Tom Brandis) and writer Brad Ingelsby discuss the difficult decision that the protagonist of the series had to make in the season 1 finale. The hit HBO TV show revolves around Brandis, an FBI agent and former priest, who leads a task force in Philadelphia.
After Task’s tumultuous season filled with death, betrayal, and rage, Tom finally learns how to forgive and accept his current circumstances. After holding on to so much resentment toward his adopted son, Ethan (Andrew Russel), over the death of his wife, Sara (Phoebe Fox), the FBI agent appears to begin to let go of his anger so he can move on. And, amid all the chaos, the most tragic moment was when Tom had to let go of Sam for his own good.
Sam was temporarily placed under Tom’s care after witnessing a crime that involved Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey) and the Dark Hearts gang. Throughout the series, the pair bonded and developed something that resembled a father-son relationship. But, despite his attachment to the child, he ultimately chose to have Maeve (Emilia Jones) take Sam to North Carolina in order to protect him from the potential violence that could come his way.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ruffalo and Ingelsby discuss why Tom chose to send him away instead of continuing his guardianship. The pair stated that it was a combination of a lot of things. He realized that Sam would never truly be safe with him and that he just wasn’t fit to take care of a child in general.
Ruffalo stated that his character wasn’t entirely sure if he made the right decision or not. However, he is aware of the negative consequences that could come with keeping Sam.
It’s hard for him with Sam. I don’t think he knows if he’s doing the right thing for Sam, but he does know that he’s too old to take care of him. He doesn’t think it’s fair to take Sam, and it’s imperfect, which makes it that much more meaningful and moving, because we’re always faced with decisions that never have a perfect or clear route. To keep Sam would be more for his own comfort than it is for the wellbeing of Sam. He has to take care of the son that he has.
Ingelsby explained that Tom’s son also had an impact on his decision. The writer said that a major part of his story has to do with him being able to forgive Ethan for accidentally killing his wife, and he couldn’t do that if there was another child around when his son returned to him.
The arc of the show is that Tom needs to forgive his son and then get the house ready so he can come home.
He added that while he knew viewers would want them to stay together, it wasn’t the right move, and it wouldn’t make sense. He felt like going for a crowd-pleasing moment wouldn’t do the character or show justice.
The cumulative effect of all the people in his life: Lizzie dying, Robbie sacrificing himself, Maeve defending her family — it gives him hope in the end. There’s a belief in the end that I can give the boy up, but he’s going to be okay. It’s a hard-earned reality. Through this crazy task force journey, he’s able to believe in something.
All episodes of Task are available to stream now on HBO MAX.
- Release Date
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2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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HBO
- Directors
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Jeremiah Zagar
