A Shocking Twist in 'Task': Perry Never Meant to Kill Eryn—He Just Wanted Her to Be Quiet
HBO’s gripping series Task has once again delivered a heart-wrenching moment in Episode 5, titled "Vagrants," where another character meets a tragic end. But here’s where it gets controversial: the death scene isn’t just about loss—it’s layered with complexity, hinting that the killer never actually planned to take a life. Was it truly an accident? This revelation challenges everything we thought we knew.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Task Episode 5 "Vagrants," now available on HBO Max.
In the early moments of this intense episode, Perry Dorazo (played by Jamie McShane), the leader of the Dark Hearts gang, tracks down Eryn (Margarita Levieva) to a secluded spot overlooking a quarry. Perry spots Robbie (Tom Pelphrey) leaving the scene, confirming his suspicions that Eryn is the traitor who has been secretly working against the Dark Hearts. Her motivation? Revenge for the murder of her lover, Billy.
As Perry approaches, Eryn’s panic is palpable. In a desperate bid to escape, she plunges into the water below, hoping to catch the attention of a group of teenagers camping nearby. But here’s the twist—the camera cuts to these kids, who are completely oblivious to the violent struggle unfolding beneath them because their music is blaring too loudly.
Jeremiah Zagar, the director of this episode, shared with DECIDER, "One of the most beautiful things about cinema is how quickly you can shift perspective. I saw this moment as deeply tragic—there’s a flicker of hope, and then it’s cruelly snatched away."
He added, "The kids are just lost in their own world, listening to music, getting high, totally unaware. I love how the reveal plays out—you pull back, wondering if they’ll notice, and slowly it becomes clear they won’t."
With the teenagers distracted, Perry unleashes his fury on Eryn. The two struggle, and in a shocking turn, Perry ends up drowning her. But here’s the part most people miss: Perry’s expression is one of horror and regret. When asked if Perry intended to kill Eryn, Jamie McShane was unequivocal: "No. No, no, no."
McShane explained, "Perry’s plan was to bring her back so her husband could handle the situation. In Perry’s mind, it was about getting her back safely. But when she ran and jumped into the water, I just needed to silence her. And with those kids up on the hill, I just wanted her to shut up."
In a lighter moment on set, McShane joked with co-star Sam Keeley, who plays Eryn’s partner Jayson, saying, "Your wife doesn’t shut up." Keeley laughed and replied, "She definitely didn’t in that moment."
Panicked and overwhelmed, Perry leaves Eryn’s body submerged, clearly trying to hide his involvement. It’s a chilling decision, but understandable given the tangled web of betrayal and violence. After all, Eryn’s betrayal stemmed from a deeply personal tragedy—her lover Billy was brutally killed by a jealous Jayson.
Task continues to unravel these dark, emotional threads when it returns Sunday, October 12, on HBO and HBO Max.
What do you think? Was Perry’s action truly accidental, or is there more to his character’s darkness? Do you believe his horror was genuine remorse or shock at being caught? Share your thoughts and join the debate in the comments below!
