The penultimate episode of HBO’s crime drama Task delivered two major character deaths that have reshaped the entire series. Robbie Prendergast (Tom Pelphrey) and Lizzie Stover (Alison Oliver) both met their ends in the intense forest shootout, but their deaths served very different narrative purposes, setting the stage for a explosive finale.
The Final Act: Robbie’s Planned Sacrifice
Robbie’s death was not a random casualty but a calculated choice by the character himself. For weeks, the show followed his desperate mission to sell the stolen fentanyl and secure a future for his family. However, Episode 6 revealed that his true plan was never about the drug deal.
Robbie went to the forest meeting knowing it was a trap. He presented himself as bait to draw out Jayson, the man who murdered his brother Billy. Tom Pelphrey, the actor who played Robbie, explained the character’s secret motivation, noting it’s “always fun as an actor to have a secret, to know something that you can’t let anyone else around you know.”
Robbie was fatally stabbed by Jayson during their confrontation. As Tom (Mark Ruffalo) tried to rush him to a hospital, Robbie bled out in the car, his life ending in a poignant montage of his children and happier times. His death, while tragic, was on his own terms. Creator Brad Ingelsby explained that these deaths act as a major turning point for the show, forcing the surviving characters to face the fallout of their decisions.
Creator Brad Ingelsby explained that these deaths do act as turning points for the show, forcing the characters who are alive to face the fallout of their decisions.
In the episode’s final moments, it was revealed that Robbie had successfully arranged for the real drug money to be delivered to his niece, Maeve, and her children. He had thrown a decoy bag full of real estate pamphlets into the river, ensuring his family’s financial security even after his death.
A Wasteful Loss: Lizzie’s Tragic End
In stark contrast to Robbie’s purposeful death, Lizzie’s demise was portrayed as a sudden and wasteful tragedy. A state trooper who spent the season trying to prove herself, she was an innocent casualty caught in the crossfire of other people’s corruption.
During the chaotic shootout, her task force colleague Anthony Grasso fired his weapon right next to her ear to save her from an attacker. The gunshot ruptured her eardrum, leaving her disoriented and unable to hear. As she ran across a bridge to call for backup, she could not hear the truck carrying Jayson and Perry as they sped toward her. She was struck and killed instantly.
Lizzie’s death is directly tied to Grasso’s actions as a mole for the Dark Hearts motorcycle gang. He was the one who allowed Jayson and Perry to escape, setting in motion the chain of events that led to Lizzie being hit. Fabien Frankel, the actor who plays Grasso, discussed his character’s immense guilt, stating, “Lizzie’s death is ultimately the overshadowing moment where all his worst nightmares are realized.”
Fabien Frankel shared that Grasso “genuinely cares about her,” and his actions leading to her death leave the detective with “a tremendous amount of guilt.”
Alison Oliver, who portrayed Lizzie, reflected on her character’s arc, noting that just before her death, Lizzie had a breakthrough by overcoming her fear and acting bravely in the high-stakes environment. The decision to kill her off at that moment resisted the trope of her transforming into a “great cop.”
The Ripple Effects on the Story
The dual deaths have immediately reshaped the dynamics of the series heading into its finale.
The central conflict has now shifted from Tom versus Robbie to Tom versus Grasso. Tom knows Grasso is the informant and blames him for Lizzie’s death. Their confrontation at the end of the episode ended with Tom’s promise, “I’m comin’ for you.” This sets up a personal vendetta that will drive the final episode.
For Grasso, Lizzie’s death becomes a defining burden. Frankel described it as the moment “all his worst nightmares were realized.” While he genuinely cared for Lizzie, his corrupt actions directly caused her death, a weight he will have to carry.
With Robbie’s story concluded, his legacy is the financial safety he secured for Maeve and the children. However, this safety is threatened as Jayson and Perry discovered the decoy bag and will likely deduce that Maeve has the real money, potentially setting up one final confrontation.
Aleah, who had developed a close friendship with Lizzie, is also deeply affected. She was placed on indefinite leave, and the loss of her friend has hardened her resolve. The fallout from these two deaths promises to fuel a tense and personal series finale.
Also Read: Task Episode 5: The Surprising Reason Robbie and Tom Spared Each Other
