By: Singyi Lo

HBO has always been champions at creating masterpieces, and their most recent limited series, “Task”, is no exception. Created by Brad Ingelsby (“Mare of Easttown”), “Task” follows Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis, who is put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies against stash houses run by an outlaw motorcycle gang.

The show stars Mark Ruffalo as Tom Brandis (“The Avengers” and “13 Going on 30”) and Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergast (“Ozark” and “Outer Range”) as the respective leading roles. With beautiful cinematography and intricately thoughtful writing, “Task” could possibly be up for nominations in next year’s awards season.

There are many wonderful things about “Task” that stood out to me. But the everlasting impression that it left me was the cinematography intricately woven into a narrative that paints the picture of family, corruption, and what makes us human. From the mirroring behavior of Tom Brandis and Robbie Prendergast praying or “baptizing himself before a robbery,” there is a clear theme of faith that also exists here. Every single detail is carefully selected to tell the story of one man who is willing to do anything to save his family, and the other running away from his instead.

But. what is the main theme of “Task”? Is it the corruption of the Philadelphia police force that represents real-life situations? Or is it familial relationships and the importance of keeping them safe? If there is anything beautiful about stories and media, it is that there is a possibility for many themes and journeys to coexist. Where corruption can be considered a secondary idea to “Task”, family is declared to be the primary. We see this through the relationship between Tom Brandis and his daughters, as well as Robbie’s ties to his children. Another representation can even be seen through the motorcycle gang, the Dark Hearts, in how they display their strong loyalty through harming those who oppose them.

Though the series might be considered slow at the start for many, it is important to understand that details — no matter how big or small — are shown for a reason. “Task” is a perfect representation of the “show, don’t tell” method that is often used in storytelling.