There’s rarely any reason to talk much about direction in open-ended television series because most shows operate from a fixed aesthetic template and the contributions of individual directors are a little less pronounced. The Righteous Gemstones is a major exception. Save for two by Danny McBride, most of the episodes are directed by Jody Hill and David Gordon Green, who both have distinguished résumés in the film world and don’t seem to think about television any differently. It’s natural to focus on the dialogue and performances on the show because they’re so wonderfully pungent, but it’s worth noting how much stylistic panache Hill and Green bring to the table, which not only enhances the jokes but gives the action a propulsive, cinematic kick.
To that end, there are two…
