This is a great start for such a maligned show.
I thought the acting and direction were great. The setting is good, the pacing is pretty good even with the timeline switches. I think this shows early use of liquid timelines revolving around a singular plot point has been refreshing in a way that does not detract from the story/show, but ENHANCES it.
There are very few circumstances where you watch a movie that jumps throughout the timeline and say "wow that was interesting! I wish they would have done that MORE!". Usually you are like wow, great movie/show but the timeline jumps were a bit confusing at times all the way to wow that show was awful because it was confusing as fuck. But this has been done in a way where it kind of makes sense, given the main characters questionable perception/memory as well as the way the case seems to be unfolding, with multiple complex elements unfolding over a long period of time (the girl aspect of the case etc.)
If anything, this kind of shows the viewer what can be accomplished if timeline jumps are executed correctly. It opens up a multitude of different plot devices/screenplay choices by un-restricting the reigns creatively, freeing up the bottleneck of the viewer chronologically following whatever bread crumbs a normal show runner lays out for them. With this format, they are able to free themselves of HAVING to use red herrings, or shove certain elements down the viewers throat in order for them to universally follow what is happening (concerning an important development, such as a betrayal/death etc). Now they can set up something interesting in a way that lets them not be limited by a certain set of chronological events or preconcieved notions of what the viewers believes is going to happen.
TLDR: it gives Pizalatto more ways to mindfuck the audience for the most salient effect. Not only that, but if you really take a deep dive, it is even more interesting. It allows the viewer to see sides of a character that could only be theorized about or dreamed of. Think of how fucking awesome it would be to see some of your favorite TV show characters when they were in their formative years, or when they were old and grey, it sets up fascinating angles that are otherwise impossible to explore.
Think about Wayne's wife and how much we have learned about her character in just TWO episodes. Some shows dont provide that amount of character development in an entire fucking season. But in the first 2 episodes, the timeline jumps made it possible for the viewer to see her through multiple different lenses and perspectives, fleshing out her character and bringing additional weight to the circumstances she finds herself in. They have done a fantastic job.
