What was exactly try hard about it? The intro is pretty stupid, I agree. But the rest?
all of his episodes are dotted with dumb excessive camera movement, contrived angles and artificial composition. all these things can work well when used tastefully and within context, but he just kinda churns them all into a schizophrenic mess.
if you're making a leone film, sure, have a heavy hand in direction. you're essentially painting a romanticised fantasy anyway. but with an episodic sorta kinda realistic TV drama, it just takes me way the hell out of it; even if it's done well.
it's like a super wanky pentatonic solo. it looks impressive at first, but a couple of years at guitar school and you'll never want to hear one again.
i'd argue that in a show like this, you shouldn't be noticing the direction at all.