Heated Rivalry Season 1 Review: Why This Queer Hockey Drama Took the Internet by Storm

Season 1 of Heated Rivalry officially ended on Friday & I’m already going through withdrawals. This show was so good, the writing was amazing, and something that’s truly took the world by storm. After seeing countless LGBTQ+ shows being barely marketed, not having a large following, or cancelled, it’s been a refreshing change to see people within and outside of the community enjoying and supporting this show. 

Throughout Season 1, we follow Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two hockey players on opposing teams who begin to fall for each other.  While also keeping up appearances of their rivalry and following the straight and narrow in the public eye. Of course, this becomes an issue as both parties become more involved with one another and the lingering feelings of their hookups and shared moments become harder and harder to move on from. Both of our main actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are absolutely phenomenal in playing this. I think they both shine for different reasons, but when they come together, the chemistry is absolutely electric. After the first episode, I could not imagine one without the other and I could never see anyone else playing these roles. And as someone who is also currently working their way through the book series, the casting for these characters was absolutely perfect. 

I think it’s more common than not for LGBTQ+ media, but particularly queer men/MM romance in media, to feature at least one character who’s not out to the people in their life. In Heated Rivalry, we see this with both of our main characters (and even a side couple). But what I think makes it more tolerable in this is how palpable the tension is between these two, and the timeline that these events are taking place. When Shane and Ilya first meet it is 2008 and by the end of the show it’s about 10 years later. We get to see the stigma of them being queer during that time and needing to keep a certain image or it could threaten the careers that they have worked so hard for. At the same time during this, we also see glimpses and follow another couple from the book series, Scott and Kip.

Their story, at first, could seem very small to most viewers, but their impact is felt throughout the canvas, especially to Shane & Ilya. Towards the end of Season 1, Scott declares his love for Kip and gives him a kiss at the end of a game and on national television. Even though we’re beyond the year of 2008, there is still a weight behind the idea of being out as a player and the unknown of what could happen if you come out. As someone who is reading the books, I think the inclusion of Scott and Kip’s story within Shane & Ilya’s makes a lot of sense instead of having 2 separate seasons. I would love to see more of Shane and Kip (and I’m sure we will in the coming seasons) but I’m glad that Shane and Ilya started the story, but they let the impact of Scott intact throughout the story of Season 1. 

Some of my highlights from the first season include: the editing and dialogue within the huge timeline throughout episode 1, the actresses that played Rose and Svetlana and how they supported these characters, the way that Scott and Kip’s relationship was handled and how accurate it was from the books, the entirety of episodes 4, 5, & 6 were some of the best television I’ve seen in years, and of course, the cottage. 

I know that initially when the show began, it was hyped as just gay smut, and while the show is spicy, there’s a lot of layers and depth to what we see with these characters. I think the latter half of the season shows this well as we see the stories progress and how everything affects the characters individually and collectively. The entire cast did a phenomenal job with these characters and all of the subtleties and nuance of their stories. I do hope that other characters within the book series are introduced to the story, as much as I love Shane & Ilya and Scott & Kip, I’m curious to see how they would bring them into the fold and how they would tie it all together. I’m also excited and curious to see how the trajectory of Hudson & Connor’s careers go; I selfishly want them to keep acting alongside each other because they have insane chemistry together, but I wish them the best in their careers and I hope that they continue to get recognition for the incredible work here. 

Overall, regardless of whether this is your typical watch or not, the story and chemistry here is well worth the watch & definitely worth the hype. I would give the entirely of Heated Rivalry Season 1 a 4.5/5 star rating. 

What did you think?

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