“Heated Rivalry” introduced the world to star-crossed hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Based on Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” book series, the hit TV show breaks down barriers regarding LGBTQ+ representation, particularly in professional hockey. Show creator, writer and director Jacob Tierney (“Letterkenny,” “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”) described the project as not a guilty pleasure but a slice of gay romance that is “extremely sexy, funny and sweet.”
“There’s a tendency in queer art to focus on real tragedies,” Tierney told Toronto Life. “Sometimes, it feels like we’re still telling stories about the McCarthy era or the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We deserve to have a gay show that is sexy and horny and fun.”
“Heated Rivalry” also makes a pop culture mark with its heart-rending emotional moments. Below, you’ll find the first season’s five most remarkable and emotional scenes that are guaranteed to make audiences cry.
Ilya’s Heartfelt Phone Call
While visiting Moscow to bury his father, Ilya contends with both his grief and his relentlessly soul-sucking brother Alexei (Slavic Rogozine), who demands even more money to feed his drug addiction. Later, Ilya calls Shane, who suggests Ilya get everything off his chest in Russian. “I won’t understand, but maybe it’ll help,” he says.
Ilya launches into a crushing monologue in which he admits to feeling “empty” from his family, laments that his brother has always hated him, shares regrets about not taking care of his Dementia-ridden father and confesses his love to Shane. “It’s always you,” he says, his voice cracking with emotion. Shane might not understand, but he could certainly feel every ounce of Ilya’s pain.
Scott & Kip Deserve Sunshine
A secondary storyline involves veteran hockey player Scott Hunter (Francois Arnaud), captain of the New York Admirals, and barista Kip (Robbie Graham-Kuntz). When Scott frequents a cafe called Straw+Berry, he falls in love with Kip’s blueberry smoothie with extra banana. In Episode 3, “Hunter,” Scott invites Kip to move in with him but confesses that he can’t come out quite yet.
Kip eventually reveals that he misses his father and friends too much to keep up the charade and goes home. But in Episode 5, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” the Admirals win the Cup. While all the other teammates greet their loved ones on the ice, Scott has no one. In a “ridiculously public” way, he beacons Kip from the crowd, and the two share a passionate kiss in front of millions of hockey fans. Cheers of acceptance and joy roar from the crowd. The landmark moment also inspires Ilya to accept Shane’s invitation to come to his family cottage for the summer. History has been made.
‘She Would Have Loved You’
Shane and Ilya head to Shane’s cottage in Episode 6, titled “The Cottage.” They laugh, eat burgers and be honest about what they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. In one of the episode’s most powerful moments, Shane shares an idea about the charity they could launch together, a summer camp for kids with donations going to mental health organizations. Ilya responds with one simple, wrecking-ball line: “She would have loved you… like I love you.”
Ilya & Shane Trade the L Word
“The Cottage” also includes a scene when Shane and Ilya say “I love you” to one another for the very first time. Shane tells Ilya his future plans of living together with him forever and settling down after they retire from hockey. Ilya gets visibly emotional, and the two kiss. Ilya’s voice cracks as he says the three tiny but profound words in English. Shane says them back, embracing Ilya. “Does it f****** kill you, too?” he asks, to which Ilya responds, “Not anymore.”
Shane Forgives His Mother
What makes “Heated Rivalry” such an important piece of queer television is that it sets you up for the worst-case scenario but gives you the best-case scenario instead. At the end of “The Cottage,” Shane approaches his mother after she leaves the kitchen table and heads outside for fresh air. “I tried really hard, but I just couldn’t help it,” Shane tells her about his being gay. She turns to him and asks for his forgiveness for making him feel like he couldn’t tell her. “I forgive you, Mom,” Shane cries into her shoulder.
