Diving into the heart-wrenching finale of Task Episode 6: Did Robbie Really Bite the Dust? Where Did All That Cash End Up? Tom Pelphrey Spills the Beans
Imagine witnessing the brutal takedown of beloved heroes in a high-stakes drama, only for the story to pivot into an uplifting resolution that leaves you questioning everything. That's the rollercoaster ride Task Episode 6 delivers, titled "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river." This installment, available now on HBO Max, sees some of the show's fan favorites meet grisly ends through shootings, stabbings, and even vehicular mayhem. Yet, amidst the chaos, it wraps up on a surprisingly optimistic beat, hinting that Robbie Prendergast, played by the talented Tom Pelphrey, might have pulled off the ultimate victory. But here's where it gets controversial—does sacrificing everything for the greater good truly count as winning, or is it just a tragic illusion?
Major Spoilers Ahead for Task Episode 6 "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river," Streaming on HBO Max
Right from the get-go in Episode 6, Robbie and his ally Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo) are locked in a fierce battle against formidable foes like Jayson (Sam Keeley), Perry (Jamie McShane), and the ruthless Dark Hearts gang. While Tom wrestles Perry in a secluded cabin, Jayson pursues Robbie through the dense woods, hot on the trail of a duffel bag stuffed with illicit drug proceeds.
The chase turns deadly as bullets fly back and forth. In a clever move, Robbie taunts Jayson: "Hey, Jayson! You after this? Is this your big prize?" With that, he hurls the bag into a rushing river, letting the current carry it away. What follows is a no-holds-barred fistfight between the two men, their deep-seated hatred powering every punch. Robbie seems to gain the upper hand, trapping Jayson in a chokehold—poised for revenge after Jayson's role in his brother Billy's death. But suddenly, Robbie's strength fades, and he collapses. Jayson, wielding a bloodied knife, has struck a fatal blow.
Jayson looms over Robbie, knife raised for the finishing strike. That's when Tom bursts onto the scene, having subdued Perry in the cabin. Jayson flees, and Tom rushes to Robbie's side. Despite Tom's efforts to get him into a car, Robbie—the kind-hearted thief often likened to a modern Robin Hood in Delco County—succumbs to his wounds, bleeding out in the backseat. His last thoughts drift to joyful memories of diving into the sun-drenched quarry with his brother Billy (Jack Kesy).
So, Robbie dies. Meanwhile, Perry and Jayson eventually recover the bag from the river. In another part of the story, Grasso (Fabien Frankel) desperately tries to shield Lizzie (Alison Oliver) from his covert partners in the Dark Hearts, but tragedy strikes when she's tragically run down by the gang's escape vehicle. With all this sorrow and violence, how on earth does Episode 6 manage to land on a hopeful note?
Ah, but this is the part most people miss—the brilliant twist that redeems the darkness. The money wasn't actually in that bag Robbie tossed into the river. Instead, it was already en route to Maeve (Emilia Jones), his partner in crime and life. Let's unpack this ingenious plot shift. How far in advance did Robbie orchestrate this? And how does a single, breathtaking final image transform the episode's tone?
Unraveling Task Episode 6's Ending: Was Robbie's Fate Sealed in His Plan? How Does Maeve Secure the Funds?
It becomes clear that Robbie deliberately drew the Dark Hearts to that remote cabin as a strategic distraction. His goals? To confront Jayson head-on and ensure the money reached Maeve and the children. He collaborated with Shelley (Mickey Sumner), who sold the drugs through her network and divided the proceeds into two separate bags. One was for Shelley, helping her escape her abusive husband Ray with her kids. The other, per Robbie's instructions, was set to be delivered directly to Maeve.
Episode 6 concludes with Jayson and Perry realizing they've been outsmarted, Maeve suddenly wealthy, and a poignant final scene of a joyful Robbie splashing in the quarry. In essence, Robbie emerges victorious—even in death—leaving a legacy for his loved ones.
Of course, pulling off such a deception required Robbie to mislead everyone around him, convincing them he was pursuing the opposite path. So, when exactly does this master plan crystallize for him? At what stage in the narrative does he grasp that self-sacrifice might be necessary to improve Maeve and the kids' futures?
"From my perspective, I sensed that internal shift—something he keeps private—during the truck depot encounter with Bartosz," Tom Pelphrey shared with Decider. He's referencing the moment where Robbie attempts to arrange covert transportation to Canada.
"Sam exits the vehicle, starts returning fish to the lake, and then the contact spots him, causing Robbie to snap," Pelphrey continued. "I believe up to that point, he'd convinced himself everything was manageable. But that outburst, nearly derailing the entire operation, forces him to acknowledge the plan's fragility... and that he needs a contingency."
While it's conceivable Robbie could've lived through this backup strategy—he nearly defeated Jayson, after all—it's designed as a failsafe to safeguard the children, no matter the cost to him.
"By the episode's close, we've grown so attached to him that his legacy for his kids feels like a silver lining," director Salli Richardson-Whitfield explained. "But what showrunner Brad Ingelsby achieves through his meticulous character development is that this emotional payoff is thoroughly deserved. That's why Robbie's story hits so hard—your affection for him is built up authentically."
"I'm probably biased, but I adore Robbie deeply," Pelphrey admitted. "I was enamored with his mission and the way he pursued it."
That's why Pelphrey appreciated Brad Ingelsby's addition of the episode's closing image as a "capstone of fulfillment."
"That ending was pieced together in post-production; it wasn't scripted," Pelphrey revealed. "We're lucky to have Brad at the helm. He's present on set every single day, having crafted the story himself. He's observant, respectful, and encourages everyone's contributions while safeguarding the narrative's integrity."
Pelphrey noted that Ingelsby confided the written episode lacked a proper closure, so he sifted through footage from co-director Jeremiah Zagar's quarry flashback to craft that emotionally resonant ending.
"I think that's the whole package," Pelphrey said about the final shot. "That's precisely why Brad recognized it was essential."
How Many Episodes Make Up Task?
The series totals seven episodes, so brace yourself for next week's explosive finale. Although Robbie's gambit appears successful, the Dark Hearts are relentless in hunting their cash, Tom's uncovered Grasso's duplicity, and plenty of threads remain unresolved.
Task Episode 7 drops on HBO and HBO Max this coming Sunday, October 19.
What do you think—does glorifying a criminal's noble sacrifice cross into morally gray territory, or is it a compelling commentary on redemption? Is Robbie's death a true win, or just a bittersweet loss? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or see it differently!
