Warning! Spoilers for Task episode 3 ahead!Task episode 3 has established a key relationship between two of its characters, and this connection holds profound meaning within the HBO series’ themes. Task is created by Mare of Easttown screenwriter Brad Ingelsby, who has proven that he has a real knack for crime dramas with some added emotional flair. A prime example is the newly formed dynamic between Sam and Maeve.
In Task episode 2, Maeve discovered Sam’s true identity and tried to set him up to be taken back by the cops. However, this plan didn’t go as she had intended, and Maeve had no choice but to bring Sam back to her house. Though she could have been resentful, we see in Task episode 3 that Maeve has a real soft spot for Sam. As their relationship grows, it places further emphasis on the themes of Task.
Sam & Maeve’s Dynamic Highlights Task’s Deeper Themes About Tragic Parent & Child Relationships
Task has continued a trend that got its start in Ingelsby’s Mare of Easttown (which is set in the same universe as the new HBO series). There’s a lot of focus placed on parent-child relationships, especially those impacted by trauma. In Task, we first see this with Mark Ruffalo’s Tom and his children, all of whom are reeling over the murder of their mother. Now, this idea has been taken further.
Maeve is a naturally maternal character, and, in Task season 3, she takes Sam under her wing. However, the dynamic here revolves primarily around what these two characters have in common. Both Maeve and Sam’s parents had been members of the Black Heart motorcycle gang and were murdered due to their criminal association.
Maeve sees herself in Sam. He’s a young, sweet, confused boy who doesn’t yet understand the life his parents brought him into. Additionally, Maeve recognizes all the ways that she can treat Sam differently than either her father treated her, or Sam’s own parents treated him.
Maeve and Sam have a tragic but heartwarming kinship, marked by both trauma and optimism. This is beautifully reflected in their creek scene in Task. Maeve taught Sam to float in the water by himself, gently passing on the skills that were far more harshly handed to her by her father. It’s reflective of the independence these two characters have had to develop, also symbolizing a sort of baptism.
Will Maeve End Up As Sam’s Guardian In Task’s Ending?
As heartwarming as this profound relationship in Task is, it’s difficult to hope that it will last a lifetime. Regardless of Maeve’s intentions, she is technically aiding in Sam’s abduction. She’s committing a crime, so it’s unlikely that Maeve would be allowed to become Sam’s guardian once everything shakes out in Task. Regardless, Maeve is sure to keep tabs on this boy, if she can.
Release Date
2025 – 2025-00-00
Network
HBO
Directors
Jeremiah Zagar