The Best Directed Episodes of Television Part Two

The week continues with an alarming lack of original and new scripted television. As I brainstormed ideas for today, I considered writing about tonight's 76ers game. I considered writing a new Classic TV episode post. I searched for anything non-reality television before settling on the ever popular Best Directed Episodes of TV list. I considered writing about some TV scripts worth reading before realizing that I'd need to prep that more thoroughly before writing it. So, directors of individual television episodes, the spotlight has returned you again once more.

In the inaugural post, I wrote about the life of a TV director and the kind of control (or lack of it) the director has on television show, how one director along with the show runner directs the director on how to shoot a certain episode. I forgot to mention one other interesting piece of information (and it might very well be extremely uninteresting to everyone else) about television directors. I listen to my fair share of audio commentaries on DVDs. Sometimes, a commentary track includes a television director. Unsurprisingly, the tracks are as interesting as a block of plywood. There are scattered comments about how long a scene took or how a certain actor is a delight to work with. Among first-time directors, a large chunk of the commentary consists of alerting the viewers about the stress of making the day--as in getting the scenes shot so the episode wouldn't go over-budget and all of that fun.

However, Joss Whedon is a different kind of audio commentator. He enjoys sharing his creative process, both as writer and director. During his tracks, he'll comment about a certain scene being too boring and TV-ish. The shooting schedule for an episode is so compressed that it really is about making the day, and getting good performances from the actors and actresses rather than focusing on being the Guillermo Del Toro of TV. Joss makes an effort, as a director, to bring a unique style to television. Most episodes have tons of coverage, and most shows are reluctant to let scenes breathe. For an example, watch any episode of a crime procedural and find anything interesting about it from a directorial perspective. Hawaii Five-O is an entertaining show but it won't leave anyone shouting for the show to win an Emmy for Best Direction. I think the point's been made so I will move onto the episodes and their directors:

DOLLHOUSE--"The Attic"--Directed By John Cassaday

Usually, I'd be reluctant to include two episodes from one series so early in THE LIST but John Cassaday's first episode as TV director is "The Attic" and it's tremendous. Joss Whedon's notorious for giving his writers the opportunity to direct on his shows as well as crew guys the opportunity to direct. Whedon knew Cassaday had tremendous vision as a director and allowed him the opportunity to direct "The Attic"--an episode that I'd compare to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind visually or Inception. Cassaday was tasked with creating this world of nightmares and minds, and he succeeded admirably. Cassaday was also tasked with one of the most important scenes in the series--when Ballard's imprinted. It's an episode of television that would make Michel Gondry and Christopher Nolan proud.

Watch the Episode here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031CHP4I

MAD MEN--"The Fog"--Directed By Phil Abraham

There are many strong episodes of Mad Men and many wonderful directors who shoot those episodes. Among them is Phil Abraham who has directed quite a few episodes. 'The Fog' sticks out in my mind because of the visuals like the fever dreams Betty has while in labor. The episode's alternately bright and sterile as the story shifts from domestic life to the hospital where baby Gene's about to enter the Draper household. There's a scene when Don becomes attracted to his daughter's teacher, and he strokes the grass as a way to connect with the woman in the only way he can in that moment. Later, a solar eclipse occurs in one of the prettiest scenes of the episode. Color-wise, the contrast between the environments informs the viewer of the distance between Betty and Don. It's an instance of the director conveying something in the script that can't be said by any of the characters.

Watch Here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P3CPMG

Photo Credit: NBC
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS--"I Think We Should Have Sex"--Directed By Allison Liddi-Brown

Friday Night Lights isn't the first series to devote an episode to teenage sex but it avoids the usual melodrama found in such episodes with this content. There's an honesty in the performances from the actors that separates this episode from the many others about teen sex like Connie Britton's portrayal of Mrs. Coach after she sees Saracen buy condoms. The anxiety and worry she feels translates to a great scene between Mrs. Coach and Julie. There are scenes like foot wrestling after Saracen and Julie decide not to have sex. Peter Berg deserves some credit because he's responsible for the visual style of Friday Night Lights, and the style enhances the show's realism.

Watch Here: http://www.amazon.com/Think-We-Should-Have-Sex/dp/B000V5VJJA

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