“‘Task’ Episode 5 Recap: The FBI Mole’s Identity Shatters Alliances in HBO’s Most Intense Episode Yet”
‘Task’ Episode 5 Recap: The FBI Mole’s Identity Shatters Alliances in HBO’s Most Intense Episode Yet
HBO’s Task has been a slow-burn crime drama from the start, balancing methodical storytelling with sudden bursts of shocking violence. But Episode 5, titled “Exposure,” raises the stakes higher than ever, delivering a gut-punch revelation that changes the trajectory of the series. The long-suspected FBI mole is finally unmasked, and the fallout is nothing short of devastating.
The episode opens with the team reeling from the warehouse ambush that closed Episode 4. Agent Callahan (Ava DuVall) is barely holding the unit together, while tensions run high between the surviving members. As the investigation turns inward, paranoia takes root. Every character—no matter how loyal they’ve seemed—is suddenly suspect. The writers masterfully build this sense of claustrophobia, using silence, shadow, and suspicion to make even ordinary conversations feel threatening.
The turning point comes halfway through the episode, when a planted recording exposes Special Agent Drew Miles (Corey Stoll) as the mole feeding intel to the criminal syndicate. It’s not just the reveal itself that hits hard—it’s how the show delivers it. Miles, a character who’s been a grounding force since the pilot, isn’t portrayed as a simple traitor. Instead, his betrayal stems from moral disillusionment. “You start to see the system for what it is,” he says in a chilling confrontation with Callahan. “And you realize the criminals aren’t always on the other side.” His words linger long after the credits roll.
Director Marisol Vega’s choices amplify the emotional weight of the episode. The camera work is intimate and unsteady, mirroring the characters’ unraveling trust. The color palette shifts from the cool grays of the FBI offices to the feverish reds of the climactic shootout, underscoring the moral descent that drives Task’s narrative. The pacing, too, is ruthless—quiet investigation scenes explode into sudden bursts of violence, keeping viewers constantly on edge.
The betrayal doesn’t just fracture the team—it reshapes the entire series. By the end of “Exposure,” Callahan’s leadership is questioned, the task force is suspended, and the syndicate gains a dangerous advantage. What had seemed like a story about law enforcement hunting organized crime now feels like a deeper study of loyalty, corruption, and the price of truth.
Performances across the board are exceptional. DuVall captures Callahan’s controlled fury and exhaustion with nuance, while Stoll turns in one of his best performances yet—haunted, angry, and heartbreakingly human. Supporting cast members like Michael Irby and KiKi Layne bring tension and depth to the unraveling team dynamic, making every confrontation feel raw and unpredictable.
By the episode’s end, no one is safe and no one is clean. Task has officially transformed from a procedural thriller into a psychological powder keg. With three episodes left in the season, viewers are left wondering: if the FBI can’t be trusted, who can?
Episode 5 proves one thing beyond doubt—Task isn’t just another crime drama. It’s a masterclass in tension, betrayal, and the dark cost of duty.