I thought the first episode was really mediocre. I didn't really learn anything beyond the most basic surface layer details about any characters, nor anything at all about any relationships. There's some mystery but it's more curious than intriguing, with obvious questions and then completely random supernatural teases. It strikes me as a massive mistake to jump into the murder and investigation before seeing this small town operate and some of these characters interact, since that would give Terry being a suspect some actual weight and make you feel the betrayal that other characters feel. Instead we're constantly told this is surprising and everyone knows everyone, but none of that's seen. The episode did nothing to make me care about any of the characters or solving the case (which includes possibly exonerating Terry, finding the true killer, giving the boy justice or the family closure, etc). Speaking of, am I supposed to care about the bits with the generic and almost completely unheard grieving mother? Her few bits, which did nothing to establish a character, and then she's disposed of in two wordless and extremely melodramatic shots.
Can't say I'm impressed. It just feels like a self-serious spin on True Detective without any there there, just all the superficial trappings of a PRESTIGE DARK DRAMA.