When Robbie Prendergrast finally lets his guard down in the third episode of HBO’s Task, viewers get a front‑row seat to a revenge‑fuelled showdown that changes the game for everyone involved. The episode – titled “Nobody’s Stronger Than Forgiveness” – aired on March 8, 2025 as part of Task Episode 3 – “Nobody’s Stronger Than Forgiveness”Los Angeles – and it drops a bombshell: a mole inside the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang has been feeding intel to the FBI task force.
Episode Overview and Key Revelations
The hour‑long installment, written by series creator Craig Zobel and directed by Salli Richardson Whitfield, starts with a tense face‑off between Robbie and his teenage niece Maeve. It’s the moment we finally learn that Robbie’s war against the Dark Hearts is personal – it’s about avenging his brother Billy Prendergrast’s murder.
Robbie Prendergrast’s Vengeance Unveiled
Robbie, played by Tom Pelphrey, reveals that the gang’s chapter president Jayson (Sam Keeley) shook his hand at Billy’s memorial – the very hand that later crushed Billy’s skull. The betrayal cuts deep, and Robbie tells Maeve he won’t stop until every member who touched his brother’s blood is brought to justice.
Inside the Mole: Eryn’s Double‑Cross
Enter Margarita Levieva as Eryn, Jayson’s longtime lover. Levieva’s character has been slipping encrypted messages to Robbie’s associate Cliff (Raúl Castillo) from inside the gang’s drug‑house network. The twist? Eryn’s loyalty to Robbie stems from a past romance with Billy, meaning her betrayal is as much about love as it is about revenge.
FBI Task Force Breakthroughs and Setbacks
Meanwhile, the federal squad led by Tom McKenzie finally gets a solid lead. Agents Aleah and Lizzie interrogate former coworkers of a low‑level courier nicknamed “Peaches.” One witness recalls Peaches bragging about pulling off heists with a man named Cliff, who, according to the testimony, works as a garbage collector. That detail unlocks the crew’s logistics: they’re using municipal trash routes to move fentanyl across the city.
But the celebration is short‑lived. Tom discovers that the Dark Hearts gang received a tip about the FBI’s surveillance plan, confirming a mole inside the task force itself. When pressed, Tom admits he inherited most of his team just a day before the operation began, meaning he never got a chance to vet them properly. Superiors warn him: trust no one until the leak is sealed.
Personal Turmoil: Tom McKenzie’s Family Crisis
Back at his home in a quiet suburban neighborhood, Tom’s personal life erupts. In a raw, unscripted scene with his wife Sara, he admits he can’t forgive his son Ethan (Andrew Russel) for killing Susan, the woman who was both his wife and Ethan’s mother. The confession explains why Tom has avoided prison visits for months.
Sara urges Tom to talk to their daughter Emily about the pain. Unfortunately, Emily overhears the conversation and realizes her brother’s crimes have left her emotionally adrift too. The family’s fracture mirrors the episode’s larger theme: when does the desire for retribution outweigh the need for healing?
Lizzie’s Anxiety and Office Politics
Officer Lizzie, still haunted by the moment she froze while an ambush left Tom bloodied, confides in fellow officer Anthony. She insists the invite for drinks was strictly platonic, but the subtext is clear – she’s desperate to prove she can handle pressure. The situation worsens when a group of officers from Lizzie’s former precinct strolls in and starts mocking her assignment. Anthony steps up, publicly defending her competence, turning the snide remarks into an unexpected morale boost.
Future Stakes and Themes of Forgiveness
The episode closes on two haunting images. First, Tom dreams of a tranquil evening with Susan, the kids, and the house that once felt safe – a stark contrast to the chaos he now inhabits. Second, Robbie and Cliff load a new shipment of fentanyl, ignoring Eryn’s warning that the move could expose them to a rival gang.
The title “Nobody’s Stronger Than Forgiveness” isn’t just a tagline; it’s a question the characters wrestle with. Can Tom ever let go of his son’s betrayal? Can Robbie find peace after years of blood‑lust? And can the task force survive the internal betrayal that now threatens to implode the entire operation?
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Eryn’s mole work affect the Dark Hearts gang?
Eryn’s inside position gives Robbie’s team a real‑time view of the gang’s supply routes, allowing the FBI to anticipate fentanyl shipments. However, her double‑cross also fuels internal mistrust, because Jayson suspects a leak and may tighten security, making future infiltrations tougher.
What new evidence ties Cliff to the drug operation?
Witnesses recalled that Cliff worked as a garbage collector, a cover that lets him slip packages into municipal trash trucks. The FBI matched his employee records to a city sanitation roster, confirming his access to the same routes the gang uses for drug moves.
Why is Tom McKenzie’s personal drama relevant to the case?
Tom’s inability to forgive his son undermines his judgment, making him vulnerable to manipulation. The episode suggests his emotional baggage could blind him to the mole’s identity, jeopardizing the entire investigation.
What does the title "Nobody’s Stronger Than Forgiveness" imply for the characters?
The title frames forgiveness as a hidden power that can either break a cycle of vengeance or leave characters trapped in it. For Robbie, it means confronting whether killing Jayson will ever bring closure; for Tom, it asks if letting go of Ethan’s crime can restore his sense of purpose.
When can viewers expect the next major twist in the series?
Hints dropped in the final scene – Robbie’s reckless fentanyl move and Tom’s recurring nightmare – suggest the next episode will pit the task force against an escalated gang retaliation, likely revealing the internal mole’s identity.