I wish I could tell you the specifics of how this show has failed, but I am not allowed to broach those topics on this website. So instead of the now redacted 350 word critique I published about the content of the first 3 episodes, I am forced to only address the "PG-rated" elements of this series, in bullet-point fashion.

-Bill was a different character in the games. Changing him was a mistake

-Ellie had a different personality in the games. Changing her was a mistake.

-Joel is cast perfectly, and is the sole acting talent lending any credibility.

-Episode 3 was 45 minutes of backstory for non-cannon characters that did not shape the story of the main characters at all. If you fell asleep for 45 minutes of that episode, not only would you miss noting about the characters, but it would not even break narrative continuity.

I urge you all to watch the 2013 "cut scene movie" of The Last of Us, available free on youtube. It stands the test of time, and shows what this series could have been.