Perhaps because my first exposure to D&D was the original Baldur’s Gate game, which is full of mock heroism, jokes, silliness and fourth-wall-breaking references, alongside a serious main story of godly ambition and treachery, yes for me this is what D&D is, or at least can be. And I agree that some bits of it are inherently silly, including Elder Brains (which are D&D creatures). Treating them with a level of mock seriousness is perhaps the only tone that would really work for me. As you can see from the responses above D&D can be different at different times and for different people, and I’m sure I have a different perspective as someone who only encounters it through video games and the odd comic from those who are more immersed and play TT as well. But for this particular casual, I think D&D is at its best, and most distinctive and interesting, when it does mix up tones and goes big, and so I’m glad Larian have played up those elements. Though illithids and Elder Brains do stretch it, even for me!
Though I’ll admit that personally I liked the idea of quasi-deities (I don’t think they are literal gods at this stage in the lore) working through their Chosen to regain influence and power. As I understand it, gods in the Forgotten Realms at this time in the lore are discouraged from intervening more directly.
