Task opens with a series of daily rituals: morning prayers, affectionate gestures between father and child, the brewing of coffee, and a refreshing ice plunge for the face. Through these routines, we are introduced to the main characters: FBI recruiter Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo) and garbage collector Robbie Prendergast (Tom Pelphrey). Their pronounced accents and casual mentions of local delicacies like scrapple and water ice subtly situate the story near Philadelphia. Although the plot’s specifics are initially unclear, the scene setting effectively portrays our protagonists as ordinary men caught in the monotony of their lives, despite their vastly different circumstances.

The creator, Brad Ingelsby, known for his hit 2021 series Mare Of Easttown, revisits the crime drama genre with a fresh narrative approach in Task. Unlike his previous work, which centered on a single detective, this series presents a dual narrative exploring both the law enforcer’s and the criminal’s perspectives.

The episode, titled “Crossings,” skillfully juxtaposes Tom’s and Robbie’s lives. Tom’s evenings end with a lonely drink from a plastic Phillies cup, while Robbie’s nights buzz with excitement as he plans a heist. Tom’s professional life is filled with cleaning up after others at a designated task headquarters, while Robbie revels in successful robberies and close community ties, despite personal tragedies like the death of his brother Billy.

The premiere, lasting 66 minutes, slowly unfolds the characters’ backstories and sets up the narrative arcs for the series. It introduces major themes contrasting an overburdened FBI agent with a burglar lacking personal accountability. The episode also highlights the influence both men have on the younger generation around them.

Tom and Robbie, although central, interact with a variety of younger characters. Tom’s team includes fresh-faced agents like State Trooper Lizzie Strover (Alison Oliver), Detective Aleah Clinton (Thuso Mbedu), and local counterintelligence agent Anthony Grasso (Fabien Frankel). Robbie, a father figure to his own children and his niece Maeve (Emilia Jones), navigates family life and his criminal undertakings with complex, sometimes conflicting motivations.

The narrative unexpectedly veers into a kidnapping plot, a twist not highlighted in the series’ promotions, adding a layer of suspense and urgency previously absent. This shift, along with the ongoing mystery of Tom’s family situation, serves as the primary hook for the audience.

The character-driven focus of Task allows for deep exploration of themes like fatherhood and morality, differing from the more straightforward mystery format of Mare Of Easttown. The premiere showcases strong performances, especially from Ruffalo, whose portrayal of Tom balances vulnerability with his professional demeanor. Pelphrey’s Robbie is particularly compelling, presenting a man torn between his affectionate, fatherly side and his darker, criminal inclinations.

The episode also hints at a larger narrative involving a turf war, potentially widening the scope of the series beyond the personal struggles and crimes of the protagonists. Despite revisiting common themes of the crime-drama genre, Task promises a unique take thanks to its character complexity and dual narrative structure.

Additional Insights

• Welcome to the weekly discussion of Task here at The A.V. Club. I’m thrilled to explore this series with you every Sunday and eagerly await your theories as the plot thickens.
• With both Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey playing characters named Tom and Robbie, respectively, I anticipate some name confusion in my future recaps—apologies in advance!
• It’s rare to see someone scoop ice cream with their fingers, a truly bizarre sight indeed.
• Bird watching and imagery of birds and bird feeders are recurrent themes in this premiere, adding a symbolic layer to the unfolding drama.
• The poignant scene where Tom delivers a suit for his son’s sentencing, yet refrains from visiting, adds a layer of emotional complexity to his character.
• Robbie’s attempt at online dating provides a humorous contrast to the otherwise tense narrative.
• Details about Tom’s son’s case can be gleaned from paused frames, revealing a backstory of untreated mental health issues and tragic consequences.