This week on Tell Me About Your Father Matt, Erin, and Elizabeth break down episode 2 of HBO’s Task — a tense hour that pushes family ties to the breaking point and puts children directly in the crosshairs.

From FBI war rooms to chicken coops (both are essentially shacks), Task keeps building its character-driven “Sons of Anarchy reject script” storytelling around the big question: who counts as family, and how far will you go to protect them?

Episode 2 maintains the dramatic anchor of Task in in its characters, through fragile bonds, messy families, bad decisions, and the dangerous weight of responsibility.

And once again, the littlest character (Sam) delivers the biggest emotional punch.

What we cover in this recap:

* Father Figures Everywhere – From Perry’s iron grip on Jayson to Tom Brandis’ complicated household, Episode 2 leans hard into daddy issues.

* The Family Dinner from Hell – Tom’s kids (adopted and biological) clash over Ethan’s fate, while Sarah delivers the show’s coldest line to Emily without any words.

* Robbie’s Double Life – He’s plotting revenge and moving stolen fentanyl, but also making pancakes for little Sam in the sweetest (and strangest) father-son moment of the season so far.

* The Kids Aren’t Alright – Sam’s heartbreaking “deer monologue” stops us in our tracks. Is Task setting him up as its emotional core… or its future villain?

* Women Taking Action – Whether it’s Maeve, Emily, or even Jayson’s as-yet largely wordless girlfriend in the background, the women of Task are driving the story forward while the men flail.

* Deep-Cut Needle Drops – Erin excavates more and more layers to this nuanced and engrossing story. From a surprise Pearl Jam track (“Long Road”) to Dan Deacon’s score, the music is as intentional and unexpected as the storytelling. Also, Mark Ruffalo’s sandwich-eating acting.

See you again next week for episode 3!