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Heated Rivalry 1x5 "I'll Believe in Anything" Full Length Reaction (Patreon)

Published:
2026-07-08 01:07:41
Edited:
2026-07-08 19:42:56
Imported:
2026-08

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Content

Happy and Sad Tears ALL AROUND. Wow what an episode that elevates the show to a different degree. Also, having one of the greatest endings! We love a love story.

Also haven't created the thumbnail for this yet lol so here's a still from the episode!

Shane, Ilya, and Scott each face pivotal personal decisions.

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Comments

Salomé

I'll be there in a minute, y'all--I'm still cooking my breakfast!

Oussy

hell yeaaa

Amie

Ive been waiting for this all day!!

Rebecca Pantene

OMG! Yes! 🙌 I have been sooooo excited for you to watch the last two episodes! Love you both so much, thank you!!! ❤️💕💕

Angel

YURRRRRRRR

Tiffaney

I've been waiting for this episode!

Kasapo Mwanza

Finally 😭😭😭 its literally 2am in London. I couldn’t sleep 😭😭

Adavan

I debated mentioning this, but I wanted you to know how important the work you do is. It is my brother's birthday today, the first since he's passed. I miss him so much and today was tough. But having this little treat at the end of a rough day was really, really nice! I can't wait to watch it. 😊 So, just - thanks. ❤️

Sierra

Just in time for dinner! 🤍🤍 see you all at the cottage soon

Brianna

TRUST ME there's a lot more story from the books that season 1 doesn't cover. We're just getting started!! I've been so excited to watch you guys see this one!

Amanda P

I'm so sorry for your loss ❤️ I'm glad you could find a little peace with their reaction. Happy birthday to your brother

Linde

For reference, there's only one other chapter of the book (plus epilogue) past where the season ends. I think most people are assuming that season 2 will more than likely be based on the second Ilya/Shane book called The Long Game. ❤️ (BTW, Kip and Scott have their own book!)

Adavan

Thank you! That's very kind. 💙

MavenCree

No this show is not eligible for an Emmy as it is a 99.9% Canadian show. It has however won a Peabody Award, 16 out of 19 Canadian Screen Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, Queerty Awards, Canadian Sync Awards, Canadian Cinema Editors Awards, ACTRA Awards and several others.

MavenCree

The stairwell is actually an excellent place. You hear the second someone opens a door no matter how far up or down they are from you.

Arranit Malushaj

Rose. Elena. Svetlana. The holy trinity of women in this show. Cannot love them more! <3

Lila James

In the Cottage waiting room. Loved this episode so much

Simone

SCOTT HUNTER THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. Watching this as it aired was INSANE. In the hours right after it aired, it was like the second highest rated TV episode of all time and stayed in that position for like days, it was so fucking surreal.

Anxious Em

Ilya’s Russian monologue is a masterpiece and moonlight sonata as the background was a targeted attack directly at my feels 😩😭

Kimberly

Unfortunately, they cannot be nominated for the Emmys because the show is 100% Canadian. They did win like 13 awards on a Canadian award show but since Connor is American (Not Russian at all, he is from Texas haha) he did not get nominated. It is really sad because they did such a great job both of them.

Allicat

This detail got a bit lost in the show but Ilya was actually fully prepared to deny Shane's offer to go to the cottage that summer. You can see him packing his suitcase in the last scene and Svetlana reminded him to bring something for his niece. He had planned to go back to Russia and distance himself from Shane once again because Ilya couldn't see a future where they could actually be together and it was painful knowing that. It was truly Scott and Kip who opened the door for them and made Ilya realize that there is a path forward for them. So excited for the last episode! See yall at the cottage!!

Rebecca Pantene

Right?! I’m so glad the women of this show are so supportive because I have always been a supporter to my gay friends and I wish the rest of the world could be just as supportive!

Amanda P

The coming out scene with Rose was just so well done, her asking gentle questions and his subtle eye movements\head movements and the little tears, ugh it's so good! There's so much to love in this episode, truly one of the best episodes of tv ever made. I really do hope you guys will react to some of Connor and Hundson's interviews (since we don't have bloopers) just so you can see how adorable and charming they both are! This really cheered me up today so thank you, can't wait for ep 6!

Jontor11

What a wonderful reaction guys to a wonderful episode! The ending of this episode is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It is such a smart way to bring back the B plot into the A plot. Brilliantly executed! No, this show is not eligible for any Emmy's as there is no American producer involved.

ja0netholmes

I relate to shane so hard. I too will do the thing but I will complain and point out it's a bad idea the whole time.

un.filth.er.ed

i'm ugly-crying right now DON'T LOOK AT MEEEE

ja0netholmes

His daddy wasn't even cold yet and Ilya needed some--I love him so bad.

Michael Flynn

I love watching you guys react to this show. It’s nice to reheat with folks who understand these feelings. Can’t wait to see your reaction to the Cottage

DramaQueen Malèna

I think of this episode as the hat trick episode. 1. Shane finally finds out and accepts that he's gay. 2. Ilya can leave Russia and his family behind. 3. Scott paves the way. The 3 major obstacles fall.

Averee Kemp

this is my favorite episode from the entire series. in the books you get to see both ilya and shane’s pov so it goes way more in depth and it makes the injury part so much sadder😭 i cry every single time i see the end as soon as scott sees the rest of the team greeting their loved ones. absolutely adored this reaction. ALSO SIDE NOTE: were we by chance singing shark in the water from the season 10 degrassi promo😩 if so that was a phenomenal dose of nostalgia that i needed.

Catharine Corrigan

I bawl EVERY TIME that I watch Scott bring Kip down on the ice. Every time. I can't even hear "I'll Believe In Anything" without getting a little verklempt, which is dangerous since that song was everywhere after this episode came out.

LL

Thank you dears

Sunny Days

An absolute masterpiece of an episode and series. I was so emotional and so excited for you both. Thank you for sharing your reaction. This reaction & “reheat” with you both brought me so much joy. This story has consumed me…going on 7 months now. 😜 I love to see others experiencing it for the first time. Love is love and it’s so beautiful. See you at the cottage! Yay! P.S. Scott & Kip’s novel is titled Game Changer…and we know why.

WhitB

GOD you get it. Love y’all’s reactions. After watching a lot, you guys might be my fave. ❤️ Thank you

Jules R

This was such an emotional reaction and exactly how we were all feeling on our first watches! It was an amazing christmas gift of an episode, was so cool to experience! I'm so happy you two finally got to join us, as we have been at the cottage ever since and have not left yet!

ja0netholmes

I love HR it lures you in with the idea that it's gonna be just saucy and sexy and then it gut punches you 😫

DramaQueen Malèna

I love Svetlana so much and I really like Elena. But I struggle with Rose and I don't want to. I think she's very self centered. 1. She always complains how terrible her job is. That's really annoying. 2. She clearly feels that Shane’s not fully into the relationship but she keeps pushing: for publicity for intimacy. She makes him eat fries knowing he's an athlete, she makes him dancing (pouting, because she "really wants to dance with Shane", even if she knows he's uncomfortable and tired). We talk a lot about Ilya always looking for consent. But Rose? It's absolutly clear that Shane doesn't want to have sex with her at the end of E4 and she gives him no chance to say no. She feels it because she comes to the conclusion he's gay. That's another thing: He's not into her so he must be gay. 3. She starts the conversation in a restaurant, in public, with the captain of the hockey team in a city where 99% of people know Shane. She also puts him on speaker and the stylist can hear everything. 4. She tells a gay man who is struggling, she wishes she was a lesbian, it would be so much better and fun. Yes, it can be seen as a joke but context matters. Shane is telling her about coming out to his parents. It's not a great timing. 5. Even if she wants to stay friends it feels like she does it out of pity (because Shane has nobody to talk about things and stuff, it's kind of condescending). It's almost like she needs the "gay best friend" to prove to herself that she is a good person. Idk, maybe I'm too harsh.

David Wayne Fox

I was already so emotionally invested in this show, and then Ep. 5 came along and blew everything out of the water. From the beginning to the end the episode just builds one iconic scene after another with memorable dialogue and amazing acting, until the climax of the show creates a sense of euphoria that I've never experienced from a piece of media in my 64 years. I sat in my chair laughing, and then sobbing for 30 minutes at what I had just seen. I'll never get back that initial feeling again but that's why beautiful reactions like you two are so satisfying. And after Ep. 6 I realized this has instantly become my favorite show of all time, with me buying T-shirts and hoodies with quotes, every piece of physical media offered, and even my first large tattoo based on a shot in 6! For me the show is therapy, nostalgia, community, and nothing less than a life-changer.

katyggls

This episode deserves an Emmy for sure, and so do the actors, but unfortunately, it's not eligible, since it's an entirely Canadian production. Connor Storrie (Ilya) is American, but he's not eligible either. But then again, I don't think the show could have been made in the US, especially in the current "anti-woke" climate, because Hollywood stands for nothing. I loved that you all picked up on the focus shifting in this episode from sexy/steamy to feelings. They definitely wanted to center the growing emotional intimacy between Shane and Ilya, and yet they did allude to them continuing to have sexy steamy moments off-screen, because I don't think they wanted to make it seem like an either/or situation. I loved that choice. I felt that same giddiness y'all did when I watched Scott bring Kip out onto the ice. I felt like I had won a hockey cup, or the Olympics, lmao. There's no drug like queer joy! 🏳️‍🌈 And it was so so important for them to show in real time how this totally changed the outlook for Shane and Ilya watching it happen. Ilya especially had no hope that he and Shane could ever have a real relationship, and yes, that's why he wasn't planning to come to the cottage, but in one moment Scott doing what he did let Ilya feel hope for the first time. Hope for a future he could only ever dream about before. If you watch the scene closely, you see that even before Kip gets onto the ice, Ilya suddenly sits up straighter because he KNOWS what's about to happen. He's not confused like the stupid announcers ("Is that a fan?" 🤪). He's probably had a fantasy exactly like this with him and Shane, but he never let himself believe in it. I LOVED the scene with Shane and Rose. First, the gentle and tender way that Rose spoke to him was so touching. She just wanted him to feel safe and loved enough to speak his truth, and she didn't care about her own ego or pride. And then the way Hudson Williams (Shane) acted this scene was so beautiful. The tears in his eyes, the scared/nervous swallows and facial tics. He was amazing. And then my absolute favorite scene the Russian phone call. It was so devastatingly sweet for Shane to give that to Ilya, to allow him to express himself freely, without being able to understand. And a lifetime of pain just came spilling out of Ilya when he was given that gift. In the book, you don't really know what Ilya says, since the scene is from Shane's pov, but I'm glad that Jacob Tierney wrote that speech to be not just about his feelings for Shane. So much of Ilya's issues with emotional intimacy stem from his difficult upbringing and dysfunctional family, and being able to admit his love for Shane is a part of that. Ok, sorry for the essay, lol. I could go on for many more pages about this episode, but I'll leave it at that.

Tami

I've been loving your reactions to this series! Looking forward to going back to the cottage with you!

Adavan

This was EVERYTHING I wanted it to be! Just an excellent reaction!! One of my absolute favourite reactions. I will be rewatching!! I can not wait for episode 6!! Just so you know, unfortunately nothing and no one from the show can be considered for any American awards show because it's a fully Canadian production. Even sadder, the show (including Hudson) won like 16 Canadian Screen Awards, (YAY!!) but Connor couldn't be nominated because he's American! 😭 But everyone knows that those boys deserve so much credit for the success of the show, so awards aren't super important. ❤️ See you at the cottage!! 🙌🏻🥰

Ashlynn Siobhan

My only complaint and it's not even about the scene how ot was written or directed just the in universe decision to have that conversation in public but it has led to some of the best fics out there.

Ashlynn Siobhan

The one thing I miss from the books are there thoughts. Ilya's happy smile and small laugh when Shane says he hired a stylist is so much more touching when you know what news he is preparing himself for.

jaimie✨

such a masterpiece of an episode.

Adavan

I agree! Also, because it is so echoey, if you're speaking low, it all just sounds like random noise, very hard to make out words. 😁

Deseree Maree

One of my favorite things ever is Kips friend telling Scott that Kip deserves sunshine and so does he. And during the kiss on the ice the soundtrack sings 🎶 I need sunshine 🌞

RebalBuoy

Now I want to watch you guys react to Hudson and Connor videos, because that’s chemistry is a whole different set of fireworks.

Misfit

My comfort episode.

Kitty89

Is episode 6 still cooking ???

Nele

They had a clean sweep at the Canadian Screen Awards! They were nominated 18 times in 16 categories and won 16 Awards!

VV

I loved your reaction to this. There is a reason this was tied with Breaking Bad for the number 1 greatest episode of all time on IMDB! Some other fun facts for you: 1. When Shane and Rose are talking about him being with men ... all the flashbacks Shane has were actually slightly different than the scene we originally saw. To emphasize his memories, production used secondary takes from each scene. 2. The hotel scene in Tampa All-Star was actually filmed on the very first day of filming ... amazing performances. This was actually one of the chemistry read scenes that Hudson and Connor did together and they made everyone cry during the chemistry read, so Jacob said he knew it would be a great scene to film on day one. 3. While Ilya is speaking to Shane from Russia and Shane's eyes are closed feeling Ilya's words, it sounds like Ilya is standing right next to Shane as he speaks. And once Ilya says, "okay, I'm done" and Shane opens his eyes, then it sounds like Ilya's voice is coming from the phone again. 4. When Ilya comes into Shane's hospital room, Shane's heart rate is elevated. The closer Ilya gets to Shane's bed, his heart rate gradually levels off. The Easter egg in the scene is that Shane's resting heart rate is 81 which is Ilya's jersey number. 5. While in the series Shane and Ilya see Scott and Kip kiss on TV, in real life Hudson and Connor were up in the rafters watching the scene being shot and became very emotional themselves. There is footage on the Heated Rivalry Crave social media page of them getting teary-eyed.

Sarah Montgomery

There is a reason why Scott and Kip's book is called Game Changer.

jaimie✨

so excited for the finale🥹🥹

jo

To your point about Ilya feeling, with his family, like he’s only good for his paycheck - I also think that at this point, Ilya still has doubts about being worthy of Shane, still isn’t sure that Shane wants him for more than sex. You can just feel how deep and profound his issues re: self-worth are.

MIke

I normally never post anything or comment but i just wanted to thank yall for watching this show. Yall are my little safe space as a closeted guy in his 30s and this show and these last two episodes always make me cry out of joy. Experiencing it again with yall was a blast and lets me pretend a little as i dont have anyone i can just be myself with irl. Thank yall i hope you guys know how much your channel this community means to im sure many of us. Love yall.

jaimie✨

At the end when they’re watching Scott, notice Ilya is packing his suitcase. He was actually going back to Russia, so the “maybe” to the cottage was definitely a no… until Scott came out and changed the game. ❤️

VV

You are correct, Shane is undiagnosed on the spectrum. And Hudson Williams has been open about the fact that his dad is also on the spectrum and that helped inform the way he approached playing Shane. Knowing his dad so well is what made him recognize that Shane appeared to be autistic and ask Jacob/Rachel if that was in fact the case.

TD Keh (signed the NDA)

To answer your question: Heated Rivalry isn't eligible for the Emmys because it is a fully Canadian production. It cleaned up at the Canadian Screen Awards, though! 🇨🇦💖 Also, "fun" fact for the comment at 51:20 about being nervous to drop the cup: François Arnaud (Scott Hunter) was also worried about dropping it. He ended up losing his balance during one of the takes where he hands it off and when he fell he cut open his hand on his skate. He insisted on continuing filming so they patched him up and he went right back out there

Ashlynn Siobhan

I always love to wait until episode 5 because bit Scott and Kip's book is called Game Changer for a reason.

taymaytosoup

my first watch + binged your reaction of 1-4 last night! can’t wait to finish the season eeek!

Michele

This was a crazy episode. Perfect episode. The writing, directing, acting. Perfect. My only complaint is that there is only one episode left. How could they give us only 6 episodes??? I really would have loved to see more of the development spread out over at least 6 more episodes. But, they did an amazing job in getting us to fall in love with the characters even with so few episodes. I took Ilya's hesitation over going to Shane's cabin caused by his responsibility with his family in Russia and thinking he has to be there. It's something he's always done. Gone home to Russia between seasons. But stopping that and going to Shane's cabin was a whole new thing. He still felt the tug from Russia. Getting to hear/read what Ilya had to say in Russian was perfect too. He said it! He loves Shane! I wanted to thank you both for being willing to be open with your stories.

CorreiaFoxx

Since you have now seen ep 5 some info from the book, Ilya stayed up all night refreshing any news outlets to get news about Shane after the incident on the ice. Cause he was so scared that he could lose another person he loved he actually was going to break off things with Shane. That’s why it’s a Maybe in the hospital that he really meant “no”. He loved his mother and she died, even though his father was an ass he loved him and he died and seeing Shane on that ice like that scared him about him eventually leaving him one way or another. So he decided he was gonna preemptively end it. As you see him packing his suitcase with Svetlana there while the game with Scott was on he was planning to go back to Russia. When he saw Kip and Scott kiss that changed his mind and hence “going to the cottage”.❤️

Chris

You two are amazing. You have truly seen and understood what this show is all about. Your analysis on why it's so good and popular is right on the money. You totally understand Ilya's issues, so you understand the character. I'm not going to say that everything he does is excused because of it, but you understand why, at least. Some don't. The things I always tell new viewers is that Shane is on the spectrum and Ilya is Russian. Him being Russian means that Shane is simply not an option for him, yet he can't help himself. Just a little detail that you seemed to get was when he said "maybe" to going to the cottage. Like Brittany over at Gaywatch said, he thinks he's lying but he's going to end up there. You have also totally gotten the fact that this is not the typical gay show from the past. I too remember sooooooooooo many things where people died, got beaten up, had TONS of drama, didn't have a happy ending. I'm sorry, but if only one of the guys is happy at the end, then it's not a good ending, much less the ones like, oh I don't know, Brokeback. It's stuff like that that made me not want to see this. My sister had to drive it home that it's from romance novels which means it will have a happy ending. It can't be called a real romance novel and not have a good ending. So I watched. Now I have a problem. Either way, you two are awesome to watch. I can't wait to see what you think about the last episode. It's different but just as good as this one. I love your commentary and reactions. Great job. YAY!!! I just saw that you posted #6. Well, I guess I have to stay up too late then. No way am I going to wait until tomorrow to watch it.

Nikki

WOW, WOW, WOW and WOW again ... This has the be the best episode. Such an emotional rollercoaster ... I keep coming back to this one. I get tears in my eyes just thinking of it. Did I say WOW yet?

Felicia

THIS is the episode that I have been waiting for! Sorry not sorry that I was so excited to bawl my eyes out along with you! 🤣🥹 I’ve rewatched this series probably 30-40 times at least and every single time this episode has me so choked up. It is done so beautifully and there are so many moments that shine. I cannot wait to see the next reaction or how the next season goes. Also, I’ll never understand how a person can witness any two people sharing all this love between them (whether on tv or in real life) and still feel the need to spread hatred. Like how does seeing love before your eyes not just reach into your soul and come pouring back out? My brain just can’t comprehend it. 😞

Nyantri

It’s actually insane how the first two episodes of this show were so like hot and heavy and intense. But by the end of episode 2 you see it’s really affecting Shane more than Ilya at that point when he was typing out “We didn’t even kiss”. Even though I could tell that he was feeling things heavier than Ilya during that bathroom scene. But from that point on it’s like “oh this is getting more serious, both clearly have very deep feelings for each other” but due to the circumstances with Ilya being from Russia, his language barrier and then the added weight of not only him but Shane both being in like you guys said a very hetero sport. It’s just really sad and heartbreaking, sweet and wholesome all at the same time. I think it’s hard enough to come out as gay or bisexual in the normal type of lifestyle I can’t even imagine how difficult it is for people so exposed to the public in sports, or just celebrities in general. This show is so good, and I know it was out for months before I first saw it and I’m gay myself lol. This show really just pulls at all the heartstrings. May I also just say that you should never apologize for getting emotional or crying especially with something that only people who are Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual can REALLY relate to on such a deep level. I’ve cried every single time I’ve watched this episode on my own, or seeing other people watch it because it’s just something that hits me, and I’m sure others at such a core level for obvious reasons. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching you react to all these episodes thus far and I can’t wait for the next one. This episode and “The Cottage” are my favorite of this season. ❤️❤️

Susan AKA Maisy13(YT)

I see all the questions have been answered, but I wanted to add my voice to you guys watching interviews with the actors and Jacob Tierney. I was going to comment this before, but I lost the comment. You'd be in for a big surprise. lol.

Rebecca Hopkins

I’m so sorry for your immeasurable loss. Can feel your pain through your words. The hurt. I know that hurt. It’s like a bottomless pit sometimes- especially when it’s a dearly loved family member who has passed. And my heart reaches out to you, especially on the first birthday since his passing. Those days are always tough days. After my father (who was also my best friend) died, that first Father’s Day hit me like a sledgehammer; it was almost like the wound and ache of the loss of him opened afresh again. Those are really hard days. I’m so, so sorry. It is the kind of pain in loss that never completely goes away. We just learn to live with it, little by little. And strive to find the joy in the memories again. Then one day, despite the hurt, you do find it again; and why it will always hurt, there will be happiness in those memories again someday, I promise you ❤️ And in that way, our loved ones who’ve passed live on in our hearts, forever ❤️ Glad you’ve found a little reprieve from your loss, by watching Sergio and Cody watch Ilya and Shane and all the beautiful love in this fantastic show. And Yes, we’re strangers. And yes, maybe I wrote too much. I never do this. And I’m not in the habit of sharing my own pain with strangers. I’m kind of insular and private usually. And I kind of get the idea that you are too maybe. But your words spoke to me, to my heart, and my heart truly goes out to you. And I’m sending you hugs and the warmest of thoughts across the internet anyway. Always here if you need to talk. Friends Who Are Strangers That Wrote Too Much Anyway, But Swear They’re Not Psychos 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 Rebecca & Val (my wife)

lelmDR.WHO

I cry everytime. Again I started this show when you first posted 2 weeks ago. I've seen it so so many times now and I just started the 5th book. But when I tell you I boo-hoo cried the first time I watched it! This show is so beautiful! Thank you for getting me to watch it

NaeNae🌟

This was whole point of the show Jacob wanted something happy with a happy ending he wanted queer joy he said that to continuous tell the same sad stories of queer romance by death or aids keeping build punishment for being queer! So he just wanted to show love 🩷

Anni

Answer to your question: they are only eligible for the international Emmys

Soph

Crying all over again😭 Ilya’s monologue and the ending is just *chef’s kiss*. One of the best episodes of television ever made. Not shocking this has a 9/9 rating, as well as episode 6👏❤️

Lucian

i've seen this episode countless times and i still can't get through the last scene without bawling my eyes out lol

Adavan

Rebecca, I'm sorry I missed this message last night. What an incredibly sweet, kind response. You can never "write too much" when the words are this warm and supportive. I so appreciate you sharing your own loss. I do think that one of the things that binds us together as humans is that, at some point, we all feel grief. We've all known that pain, and whatever our differences, we all know what it feels like to love someone fully, and then lose them. I agree, though, eventually that pain fades to a scar, and the memories of your person can be happy again. I lost my mom when I was a teenager, so I know it to be true. I still miss my mom, of course, there are still times I would love nothing more than to speak with her. But she passed over twenty years ago, and when I think of her now, the memories are all happy. I know it will be the same with my brother, given time. Anyway, I just wanted you to know how appreciative I am for your kindness. What was it Sesame Street taught us? A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet, right? So, I appreciate the friendship. ❤️ All the best to you and your lovely wife, Linda

rhiannon leigh

This episode is so special 💗 I love this show sm!

Krombz

Mo matter how many times i see this episode, especially the ending, I ALWAYS cry uncontrollably.

Maria Jensen

You guys are amazing.. You have no idea how much joy you bring with your heartwarming reactions❤️

🌈✨️X Jae⚧️🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦

Ep5 is my favorite. This show ate at the Canadian Emmys equivalent a bit ago. There is a 2nd book of Shane & Ilya for S2 - I haven't read any of them so have no idea what happens, just aware of the books from the fandom. And there's a 3rd book that was supposed to be released this summer but it's gonna be next summer instead. I'm so sorry you guys still get homophobic comments, hopefully all the fans drown out the haters.

Lorie

You said.. God damn this show... And I busted out laughing so much... Because.. Yeah. Yeah.. That's what so many people said at that exact time! Haha. It's so mind-blowing wonderful but ya gotta cuss at it at the same time!

Nikola

"I thought that was a hospital monitor or something..." Funny you should say that :D

a s

Maybe Scott having a big dramatic kiss in front of everyone is a romance cliche, but I think what’s brilliant that this show does uniquely is focus on the people impacted by Scott’s decision. We get to see how it affects Shane and Ilya, in real time. We get to see them watch the broadcast and the audience knows what’s about to happen but Shane and Ilya don’t, so it makes for such an epic payoff when it finally happens. The show found a great way to illustrate why representation is important.

Lisa Ehl

I think the moment on the ice when Shane gets knocked out is incredibly scary for Ilya. Having just lost his father and as a kid his mother seeing the person you love most in the world motionless on the floor... he must have been so panicked.

hlbright

Someone on another site mentioned that it's safer for women to approach things like this in public for their own safety because you don't always know what the reaction might be; especially with a man in a hypermasculine sport. It's a difficult situation because there are definitely reasons to do it in private for Shane and in public for Rose.

Cranky Otter

Even though it meant cutting ties with family, the fact that a bi man got to win a fight against a straight man who thought he had the upper hand? I don’t remember seeing that before. Ilya has the money. Ilya has the clout. Ilya’s functionally a professional fighter. And he’s queer but he gets to win that fight. (In so much as one can win a fight like that.)

Derrick g

I've been eagerly waiting for this. I loved this episode when it aired and I went through all the emotions too. One thing I saw someone else post, in regards to Shane and Ilya watching was the looks conveyed on their faces, like Shane: "wait, we can do that? " to Ilya: "I want to do that"

spacegirl89

hmmm while Rose is probably more self-assured than other characters considering she's a big time movie star, I think your comment is really harsh on her character and also infantalizes Shane a lot. 1. I think it makes sense for her to complain about parts of her job, especially when talking to another high profile person who can relate to the extreme demands of their career. Also that's normal between friends/partners to complain about work. 2. They dated for 3 months - I doubt it was 'pushing' and more trying to figure out if Shane is the type of person who needs to be coaxed out of his shell, and if they are a good fit for each other. That's pretty typical when starting to date. And Shane doesn't firmly say no and usually complies without needing to be encouraged much. Rose ends up reading him pretty well regardless, and initiates the breakup because they just don't fit. She doesn't force him to eat the fries, just playfully/flirtily tells him to and he could've said no. Also... athletes can absolutely eat some fries??? Rose doesn't force him to dance, he could've said no. He's a grown man and has to speak up for himself if he is uncomfortable. As viewers, we know that he's bad at doing that, but she's still getting to know him at this point in their relationship. When they are having sex after the club, you said"she gives him no chance to say no" which is a crazy accusation omg!! Shane wasn't forced into that situation and had the autonomy to stop at any point, but he was trying to prove his sexuality to himself. It's clear to US as viewers because we've seen him open and relaxed having sex with Ilya, but to Rose, he could just be an awkward/nervous/inexperienced person when it comes to sex. Again: that's a lot to blame Rose for!! And her sussing out that he's gay: she's had multiple gay boyfriends and was picking up the signals. Having a gaydar is a thing. We also don't know if there were other signs during their relationship that made it more obvious to her. It's not a bad assumption to make and it doesn't make her vain. 3. The area of the restaurant was private, and there was enough ambience & distance that no one could've heard them. In the book it says "alone with her at a private table in a wine bar". Again: at any point if Shane was uncomfortable, he could've spoken up about it or left. The phone call was only in the show, but I'm sure makeup artists on huge movies like that sign NDAs for any info they overhear. We also don't see the start of the convo, where Rose may have briefed Shane that someone was listening in. 4. While the joke could be in poor taste with some people, others might not care. Humor like that is subjective, and considering Shane is surrounded by chirping in hockey and Ilya's asshole remarks (and the fact that Shane loves to be an asshole back), I have a feeling that he didn't give a shit about that. I mean, she's literally offering for Shane to use her as an excuse to get his parents off his back about dating: she's trying to help in any way she can because she knows the situation is hard for him, and that way he can not feel so closely scrutinized by his parents about why he isn't dating her anymore. Rose isn't saying that being a lesbian would necessarily be "so much better and fun" - it's a common thing straight women say because the dating pool of men is lackluster. Shane isn't the type to be hypersensitive about a joke like that. Regardless: that scene is show-only and they actually just text more lightheartedly in the book. 5. She starts off the friend thing by saying he's really funny: how is that pity?? They get along super well: they talked for ages when they first met! They were such good friends that Shane, as a gay man, actually mistook his feelings for romantic because of how much he enjoyed being with her and how similar they were. There's no pity there. If she didn't want to be friends, she wouldn't have kept in contact after that (which she did). Saying she needs a gay best friend to "prove to herself that she is a good person" is crazy?! Where the heck are you even getting that? That's crazy assumption on your part omg. Also: she literally already has a gay best friend in Miles??? She has sympathy for Shane's situation and the fact that he has no one to talk to about being gay, as any friend would feel. But she's certainly not pitying him, she literally just likes being his friend. I really don't intend to be rude with my reply, it's just frustrating to read a heavy mischaracterization of a character who truly wants the best for her friend and handles the situation so delicately and with such love. Sometimes we get an idea of who a character is and just run with it, but I hope you can go back over these scenes with a less judgemental/biased mindset and see how she honestly isn't very self-centered.

Natasha G

I’m seriously glad I’m not the only one that really hoped Shane didn’t fall asleep while Ilya was pouring his heart out, lol.

Elizabeth Trask

one of my favorite changes from the book to the show is the change to Svetlana's character. In the book she is not a childhood friend from Russia, she was a car salesman that Ilya met in Boston when he first started in the NHL (he is a big sports car collector in the books and there is a scene in the show where he mentions to Shane that she is busy focusing on her car sales career) and they had a friends with benefits situation since meeting. She has a much smaller supporting role in the book and is not the supportive friend Ilya so desperately needs until later books (The Long Game) and even then she still thinks she has a chance with him until he lays out his relationship with Shane. I really like that they changed her character for the show.

Elizabeth Trask

and in the books Ilya went to the hospital to break things off with Shane but couldnt bring himself to end it.

Zolveig

This episode!!! It’s incredible how much they fit into it without making anything feel crammed. The music playing while Ilya is speaking Russian represents just how it felt for Shane to listen to him speak when Ilya switched from speaking English with his thick accent, needing to translate and think about his words to speaking his mothers tongue with the fluency and emotional inflections that are usually missing. It’s like music.

First Question

I know from experience that the first year after you lose a close family member is really hard. Thinking of you, new friend.

Mas

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Adavan

Thank you so much. It is difficult, there's no doubt. I appreciate your kindness. ❤️

Izanne

Ahh!! My favorite episode!!

Melanie V Jones

A couple contextual notes: The slur Alexei calls Ilya isn't 'faggot,' it's педик (pedik), which has a similar root/sound to pedophile (pedofil). Just like in English traditions, being queer and being a sexual predator are historically linked in popular imagination/usage. In Russian the concepts are linguistically linked as well, which really underlines the pervasive homophobia. After Russian Orthodox funerals, a meal is typically held for close family (and sometimes friends) where vodka and black rye bread are set up at the table near the coffin or a photo. The vodka and bread are sometimes understood as a visual marker of the lost person, and sometimes as a symbol the person is still there and needs sustenance for the soul's journey ahead. (I have heard it explained either way, and sometimes as both). As someone who has lived in Russia and has Orthodox friends, I really appreciated these little details, especially alongside spelling out to American audiences just how dangerous it had become to be gay in Putin's Russia by the 2010s.

Melanie V Jones

Oh also! I have no idea if this was intentional, but Ilya's monologue in the tunnel feels like such a beautiful homage to Zimniy put' (Winter's Journey), a 2010s Russian drama about a young gay man struggling with sexuality, addiction, and depression in Moscow. The way it's shot, especially the snow, reminded me of it immediately. It is a deeply sad movie though, so be prepared if you check it out!

Jbug

im very sorry for your loss ❤️ those big moments are so hard and the heartache is unbearable, i couldn't even breathe after losing my mum she was my whole world. over time without even realising I was moving on and I did that for her. my heart goes out to you 🫂 and sending you hugs x be well ❤️

Jbug

firstly, this was the best episode of this season. that ending had me jumping out of my chair, no words other than beautiful 🌟 I'd also like to say thank your sharing a little bit of your stories when coming out, i remember my own time of coming out was beyond grateful to have a family who truly stood for me and spent the time to understand it all, it brought me, my siblings and cousins closer then we ever were. I always appreciate hearing these stories ❤️ thank you

Erik

I thought I was a pretty stoic, level-headed gay.... turns out my tear canals have been storing up for this show. I had to take a break several times just so I could make sure I could actually see what was happening through the tears.

Missy Coffman

To be fair, they both constantly told themselves they were finally going to break it off "this time".

Jennie

A crease in hockey is the blue semicircle painted area directly in front of each goal so man in the crease is a hockey term. That’s why man in the crease. Probably double entendre. 😅🤣

Kate

The music in this show is so freaking well-done. I love the callback in the lyrics to I'll believe in anything back to what Elena said to Scott before about how Kip deserves sunshine and so does Scott. When it's saying again and again "I need sunshine" like the song is Scott's inner monologue in that moment hyping himself up. So beautiful!

Kate

One of my favorite small callbacks is how Ilya says one of the Russian phrases he wants Shane to learn is "fuck me, please" and then at the cottage Shane says "please fuck me"