Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

EARLY ACCESS: Heated Rivalry 1x4/1x5/1x6 Full Reaction (Patreon)

Published:
2026-03-14 17:38:12
Edited:
2026-03-14 19:11:51
Imported:
2026-03
Tags:

Content

Hello folks! We will do a nice soft roll-out. We encourage you to use the Badd Medicine website to watch the videos. Over the next few weeks or so, we will continue to upload videos to Patreon and the website.

Have a recommendation? Submit it here and don’t forget to up-vote others you’d like to see: https://www.baddmedicine.com/recommendations

Badd Medicine Website: Heated Rivalry watch along & Uncut available

Link: Heated Rivalry 1x4 Full Reaction | Heated Rivalry 1x4 Uncut

Link: Heated Rivalry 1x5 Full Reaction | Heated Rivalry 1x5 Uncut

Link: Heated Rivalry 1x6 Full Reaction | Heated Rivalry 1x6 Uncut

Note: The uncut version is for testing purposes and is not a permanent addition at this time.

The uncut will be up for 48 hours-ish, & the website has a 21-day window before it expires from its posting.

Format: Watch along (Have your copy to sync) 

Why is it blurred? Copyright laws. We do not own this movie property nor can we afford the rights to distribute

First watch: All 

Watched on: HBO MAX

Heated Rivalry watch options here

Thank you and hope you enjoy

Files

Comments

Valentine

Let's gooo 🥳 Also I hope you guys know that Connor who plays Ilya isn't actually Russian, he learned it just for this role in a really short amount of time. And actually the actor is quite literally the opposite of Ilya, sometimes it's like they are two different people His performance is quite impressive ! I also wished you guys paid a bit more attention to the lyrics of all the things she said "I'm in serious shit, I feel totally lost If I'm asking for help it's only because Being with you has opened my eyes Could I ever believe such a perfect surprise? I keep asking myself, wondering how I keep closing my eyes but I can't block you out Wanna fly to a place where it's just you and me Nobody else, so we can be free (Nobody else, so we can be free)"

Emily G

Please consider a Euphoria reaction after this. It’s a short show not many episodes at all. Amazing cinematography.

Shannon

Yayy thank you for adjusting the edit on the uncut!! I didn’t mind it too much on the previous episodes, but this format just felt more cohesive & enjoyable to watch 😍

ImaKatPerson

Already loving the new formatting for the guest reaction

Valerie ♡

We are getting fed so well

F Andersson

The timing of this upload is impeccable I have a drink i have some snacks I was going to watch something else now ill be here for the rest of the night ✨️ Also this new format is great!!

Heloísa Didier

I’Ve been waiting all week for this! Mu show is on

Shay

Hell yeah welcome to the cottage ahouuuuuu 🐺🐺🐺

Kimberley

Episode 5 is the most perfect beautiful hour of TV ever. Oak said the song at the end was perfect for the moment it was meant to be. It's one of the creators favorite songs so he planned all along for that to be used that why sunshine was mentioned in the 4th episode to match the song lyrics. I love this show so much.

IIamtomiyah

Funny and cute highlights!! “I kinda prefer being the whole rather than the peg” “I’m gay! 🤣What makes you think that” “ILYAAA” “IM COMING TO THE COTTAGE” “WTF WAS THAT? STUPID CANADIAN WOLF BIRD” “I’m always thinking about this slow fucking hockey player, with beautiful freckles” “I LOVE YOU” “She would have loved you just like I love you” 🥺”maybe he didn’t notice” “we are lovers…no Ilya thats gross” “Since rookie season..no the summer before..not helpful” “YOUR boyfriend is HERE.. MY BOYFRIEND? Yes, idk, probably”. ALSO the woman in this show is fucking great. Oh my gosh love them.

Adrianna Marie Aka AD

The editing looks great DD. I wasn't bothered the first time BUT I will say just in terms of layout its easier on the eyes. About to start episode 5 now!!!

Lauren

I 1000% agree with you on episode 5. I cried so hard at the end, but the entire episode had so many great moments. Ilya being able to speak in his own language was super impactful. And episode 3 definitely laid the groundwork for us as viewers to get invested in what essentially are two side characters.

Jakhiraj✨

This is a better layout! Thanks ❤️

Jérémy

Great reactions! Love that you understood the tuna melt scene, so many reactors don't catch them using first names. I love this show so much. I will say it's even better on a rewatch as you really get to see all the details Hudson and Connor put into their performances of Shane and Ilya. As for coming out it is a bit more tricky for them as they are both pretty much the faces of the entire league and the idea that the representatives of your organization have been hooking up secretly for years may not be received too well. Scott is involved with a civilian so it's less of an issue. Plus the Russia thing is still a problem even if Ilya doesn't intend to ever go back. But there is a second season coming in 2027 and it will adapt the sixth novel in the Game Changers series: The Long Game. It's the second Shane & Ilya book so we should get to see how this new step in their relationship is working out. That book is truly fantastic and I can't wait to see it adapted especially since this show is so faithful to the book (like most lines are taken word for word from the book, including that Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird part). I'm really glad you enjoyed the show and while I wasn't expecting a collab for this series, I like the commentary they both added (the layout of the video was also much easier to follow here than in part 1-2-3).

Pam Nail

I love that Shane doesn't understand any of what Ilya's saying on the phone in Russian (though I do believe that, when he hears him say "ya tebya lyublyu" at the cottage, he remembers hearing something like it in their phone conversation). A lot of people joke about Shane having Google Translate open for that conversation, but the whole point of Shane suggesting this is to make a safe space for Ilya to let down his defenses (spot on, Diamond Dave, for that observation).

Mo

yeahhh here we goooo. Episode 6 is like a warm hug. I love it so much. Shane & Ilya are one of my favorite couples EVER.

Ellie Autumn Gidney

Shane is undiagnosed autistic the actor confirmed and author too that’s how Hudson was playing the character and he put his head down on the table he was getting overwhelmed. I can’t wait for season 2 loved y’all reaction to the show.

Jacqueline LaFace

The part where Shane's dad leaves; I always look at it like he's freaking out internally "oh my god, just walked in on my son in an intimate moment, I should leave"...like my mom walked in on me making out once and she just went uhhhhh and closed the door so awkwardly. We laugh about it now 15 years later lol. He just didn't know how to process what he saw. They've barely seen Shane with a girlfriend, let alone a boyfriend lol

Chen

I fcking love Oak's insight. It made me feel validated and like I was actually listening to my dad say "Hey, its okay." FCK! Tearing up again.

luca

in the scene where ilya brought up svetlana, what he was really trying to gauge was if shane was bisexual or not. ilya most definitely is, and as we know from episode 5, shane most definitely is not lol

Erin

The creators have said that the whole '3 years' thing for Scott and Kip was an error/oversight, it was all supposed to take place in one season like it did in the book (in the book they did sort of break up for a bit but had got back together before the cup win, told a few more people etc) The primary book s2 is based on takes place another 3 years or so in the future but they've been casting the characters from all the books in between (which cover that gap and ilya turns up like a bad penny in all of them...) so who knows how those 6 episodes are gonna be spaced out in time! (I think it's been confirmed that it's just 6 episodes again which seems ambitious to me with how much story needs covered...)

Olivia

Loved the reactions Guys! Thank you for blessing me this March!

Tara ✨💫

Rozy is my favorite. I love his sarcasm. I hope you guys will check out Heartstopper

Monica Emeline

I think it's normal to say "wow 9 years" but you also have to put into perspective these characters were 17/18 when they first met... that's really young. They were literal teenagers so over the next few years we see them start to hook up, they'd be college aged, 18-21.. which is still young. I think you have to take that into consideration when thinking about the timeline of their relationship. Scott was significantly older and in a completely different position with being close to retirement age when he met and got with Kip. Shane and Ilya were just starting out, fresh out of high school. I also understand people have preferences to characters and storylines, but even Rachel Reid who wrote the series prefers Shane and Ilya to Scott and Kip, so I think it's funny when people want more of those two. I am glad they were in this series since their storyline was the 1st of the books, but I cannot wait to see how the relationship evolves with Shane and Ilya moving forward and how they will navigate it once the next hockey season starts.

Crystal

I love how we can watch a show, get glowing reviews from the guys, and then Diamond Dave comes through and just floors me with a low score LMFAOOO Dave, the show is called Heated Rivalry so it’s about Ilya and Shane lol Scott and Kip have their own book called Game Changers, but in Heated Rivalry they have only a little crossover. There is talks about them doing a Game Changers limited series about Scott and Kip to further their story. And yes the first book has a lot of time jumps the same way. Also love the format for these videos with everyone in their own bubble, that’s was sooo much better to watch. Ilya and Shane’s Dad will have a conversation in the next season or third depending if they break it up. It’s funny that media outlets talk about how steamy the show is, because all the reactions from people who watch it are emotional. You’d think they highlight that more. Anyways I knew yall would like the show, and glad yall watched it.

Splint Reacts

Just some feedback, I didn't really have any issues with the set up for the last drop, but this is noticeably easier to watch with the 6 of you. 👍

Chloe Smith

Once again Oak, you amaze us with your heart of gold 🤎🤎

ParkMinJeon

GUYS 😂 you weren’t gonna get much of Scott & Kip bc Heated Rivalry (the book) is Ilya and Shane’s story. Like in the book , Scott and Kip have a small feature in it. Scott and Kip’s book is called Game Changer. And just like in Scott & Kip’s book , Ilya makes a couple appearances as well. Rumor has it we’re gonna get a series just for S&K ! Also yes the timeline stuff happens in the book as well !

Terri Cooper

Thank you for the great reaction. Anyone who's read the second book, The Long Game knows season 2 will be epic. I'm already looking forward to certain scenes. I really think it's Shane's apology in episode 5 to Ilya for running away that allows Ilya to finally open up to Shane. Ilya's used to being abandoned and uncared for so when Shane comes back, apologizes, and expresses a desire to have more with Ilya it really heals Ilya in a way.

Simon

Wasn't able to watch until now, but man, Diamond Dave, amazing job on the editing/format for these last three episodes (I know, parroting everyone else lol). But seriously, appreciate the extra effort that went into this my guy.

Amanda P

Their I love yous is my fave part of the whole show, Shane telling Ilya has future plans is what finally let Ilya be able to say it, knowing someone loves him that much to want a future with him 😭 can't imagine he got much love growing up so this is so huge for him. This show is incredible and I'm so glad you guys watched it! It was just a Canadian original show with a small budget and look how big it got! I can't wait to see Hudson Williams (Shane) and Connor Storrie (Ilya) careers, they're both just amazing! If you didn't already know, Ilya's actor isn't Russian at all he's from Texas lol. And they filmed the show in 30ish days! It would be really fun to see you react to their interviews to see how different they are from their characters but I know you guys don't really do that. Also if you want another amazing lgbtq+ show, I highly recommend Heartstopper (3 seasons\24 eps with a movie coming out this year as the series finale) and also possibly Young Royals (3 seasons\18 eps), both on Netflix and both amazing! Also yeah having people reduce this show to just porn is so fucking annoying. It's so much more than that. And also to me it's refreshing because in so many shows in the past if there was a queer couple it usually would just fade to black when it came to intimate scenes, but for the straight couples it would show so much more. So I'm so glad they went where they did for this show, makes it more real 🤷‍♀️ the romance and chemistry is insane! I don't think I've ever seen a couple in a show with chemistry like Ilya and Shane, their kisses felt very real where so much media it feels forced or awkward when couples kiss Shows like this are so important, speaking as a bisexual myself. I love seeing how big this show got and how much love it's getting from everyone who's watched!

LGA

Scott and Kip is the first book and though their story is so pivotal to Shane and Ilya’s, the show did a great job of giving us everything in ep 3 for them. There wasn’t much else to tell from their perspective but they do appear here and there over the course of the other books! Jacob Tierney has said the show is predominantly Shane and Ilya’s story, there’s 2 books dedicated to them, with another in the works 🙂

Maggie

In regards to some of Oak's ending comments, Jacob Tierney was partially attracted to this story because it does feature queer joy. Of course there are heavy elements, but it overall ends nicely. The reaction of Shane's parents is not one that is outlandish, and many people will be able to relate to it. Unfortunately, as we know not everyone gets that warm of a reception, and it can be dangerous for people to be their true selves, which is devastating. But there is actually a trope in Hollywood called "bury your gays." Basically, it is where a piece of media is more likely to be green lit if there is an element of tragedy, and often death, in a queer story. It was very prominent in the last few decades, and due to the controversy, more producers are trying to combat it by consciously avoiding harmful tropes and presenting a more positive portrayal. And I think heated rivalry did a really nice job balancing this subject! Also, on an unrelated note, I think it would be cool for you guys to watch some interview that Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie (Shane and Ilya) did, because it really shows how amazing of actors they are! Connor is actually from Texas, not Russian at all, and learned Russian for the show! What most impressed me about Hudson is how well he portrayed an autistic character, without making it into a caricature, which is what I feel like is usually seen. Shane is very reserved, flat, and calculated and Hudson is very unhinged lol. Thanks for watching this series, and I did appreciate our guest reactors as well!

Charlie

They would LOVE Heartstopper especially. I really hope that makes it into their schedule at some point, especially with the film/finale coming later this year

Emilyyyy

If you want more understanding on why the show was such a hit, it was from their initial connection as characters and their real-life personalities. Connor (Ilya), Hudson (Shane) and Francois (Scott), all are extremely open and to speaking clearly about what the show represents and portrays. It allowed for their fans to connect with them so personally and grow attached. I would recommend watching their interviews or just short snippets of them, and they even mention becoming best friends, outside of the show. I think you will end up loving Shanes Actor Hudson, he makes thos funny remarks like Ilya. Love how OAK also speaks about representation and being open to understanding how close people are to others in their life that share similar lives and situations, becuase Hollywood love glamorize the GAY life. This production impacted others who situations are life Ilyas.

Valerie ♡

Enjoyed these HR reactions so much, appreciate all you guys. Answer always has the best reactions, commentary, and laughs haha

Valerie ♡

Y'all should check out their press interviews because Shane and Ilya's actors are like opposites of each other in real life--AND Ilya's real voice is a shocker hahaha

Suki

I knew oak would give this show a 5 such a romantic lol

Andreja Vladic

I hope you will react to Heartstopper someday ☺️

patricia jimjimcherie

I only got time to watch these now. Im at 1:04:50 from ep 5. I'm 29, turning 30, I came out to my mom when I was 15. I was terrified. And my mom rejected me. Nothing ever broke my heart or made me hate myself more than that. I've never hid, I'm out to all my friends, but I was never able to say it to my family again. Even if my eldest brother knows, and has hinted at it, I've never been able to say it again to my family. It doesn't matter that I have two lesbian cousins older than me who are completely out, even then, that rejection 15 years ago shattered any possibility for me. My mom had an aneurysm-stroke combo in 2014, ever since she's been different, she's changed, she's open-minded now, I guess almost dying puts things into perspective. And even then, I still can't say it. My mom would love me all the same now and I still can't say it. So in episode 6, when Shane has the private conversation with his mom? Yeah that broke me and healed me at the same time. Healed the little broken heart I've been carrying since I was 15. I don't know if I'll ever come out my family, even if I know they'd be okay now, that my brothers love me, that my dad's favorite nieces are my lesbian cousins. I don't know if I'll ever be able to. Fear is a terrible thing. I am so brave with so many things. But this. This is something that still terrifies me. In a way, I think that's why Ilya is my favorite character. I understand his fear and the way his family works. Anyway, thank you for watching Heated Rivalry. Queer little shows like this mean a lot to my little queer heart. Edit: oh one thing I forgot to mention. I'm an interpreter, even though my mother tongue is Spanish, nowadays I think more in English. For me, it's easier to express myself in English, and there's studies why: even though I'm fluent in English, emotions are connected to your mother tongue. English allows me an emotional barrier I don't have with Spanish. Many things I would never be able to say them in Spanish without my voice breaking. So for Ilya, it was easier when it comes to fluency, but it was not easier when it comes to the emotional weight of it. All his emotions are tied to Russian, so admitting everything he did was probably one of the hardest things he's ever done. If he had been fluent in English, he would have had that emotional wall that would've allowed him to express everything more clinically. Russian did not allow him that.

Marie RammGirl

I think the "coming to cottage" line 'Loon Bird Calling' with llya "stupid Canadian wolf bird!" 😂 & Ice Hockey Video Game banter scenes & all your reactions to it was my favourite here hehe, also good creative touch of having Loon Bird sound again to help break the tension of a very serious moment with llya, these later episodes (especially finale) made me more invested in llya/Shane story than before, seeing llya so vulnerable after having his walls up all season, like when he poured his heart out on phone in Russian/opening up at campfire, with a heartwarming ending with parents too. Oak's 'Post Intimacy Clarity' comments had us in cheeky laughter ;) & I genuinely thought Quinn was messing with DD when he didn't remember Victoria used it as a wrestling theme hehe & agree with ya I hope media outlets don't just hype show up for the steamy passionate scenes & explain there's substance to the story aswell.

Jacqueline Hahn

Did you notice that as Ilya hands his very confused looking father a glass of water, all of those pill bottles were empty? Not only is Alexei failing to keep their dad supplied with his meds, given what we find out about their mother in episode 6, that must have been incredibly traumatic for Ilya. Did he just run out? Has he accidentally taken too many because he doesn't remember what he's taken? And again Alexei isn't there! When he later says he looked after their father every day for months I honestly wanted to punch him! And as he gradually opens up, we also get to see just how little Ilya values himself as a person. Under all of that cocky bullshit there's a very damaged young man desperate to love and be loved. To his family in Russia he's only valued for his money and fame. When he isn't winning his father abuses him, calling him lazy, weak, undisciplined, useless, disgusting. When he isn't handing over his money, his brother does the same, throwing "f****t" into the abuse, but Ilya never reacts. He keeps paying. He goes back to Russia year after year because even though they're awful, he loves his family. Even in the last scene with Alexei he doesn't "abandon" them. He gives Alexei his apartment, and makes sure his niece will be ok financially. When Shane says he likes him maybe too much Ilya almost says he isn't worth it. He again lets Alexei call him the "f" word, and only when he insults Svetlana does Ilya finally give him the smack in the mouth we've been waiting for. He doesn't feel he "deserves" Svetlana, a friend who truly loves him and has had his back since childhood. He calls Shane "boring", but it's code for the stability and confidence of coming from a loving home that Ilya craves. When he says he doesn't know what to do about his feelings for Shane, I think he's being literal. He hasn't known love for such a long time he literally doesn't know how to express it, how to show Shane what he feels. I love that one way was not letting Shane face his parents alone. He looked like a frightened child, waiting for the screaming and abuse from his father for being a disappointment, as they stood together, but he wasn't going to let Shane face that alone. When David and Yoona are actually really nice about it, we see him start to blossom and grow in confidence. I love David just quietly pushing the pasta and cheese closer to Ilya after Shane tries to tell him to ease up. It's a beautiful, understated way to show that he's part of the family. When dad later says "pay attention to your PHONES" we see that Ilya's number is in the 'family contacts'. Shane gets his man, but Ilya gets so much more. He gets the "boring" he's wanted for so long. He gets a family who will love and accept him because Shane loves him, and that's enough to make him precious. They don't want his money or fame, they aren't going to give him shit if he loses a game, they just want him to love their son, and he's already done that for nearly a decade.

elena

I’M COMING TO THE COTTAGE

Jakhiraj✨

The remix of "All the things she said" was amazing my fav on the heated rivalry soundtrack

Izzy

Omfg I never even thought of this.

Lovmatthywmwmw

I just finished watching it, you guys surprised me!! Looking forward to season 2.😭❤️‍🩹

Koko

Can you guys make a collection for the heated rivalry episodes? So we can find them easier together

rin

if u click on the name tag It will show it all that's what I did

Ellen Clarke

In the book we don’t get to know what Ilya says in Russian on the phone! We only know that he says “I think I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do about it.” We learned that Connor had a five page Russian monologue and the book fandom freaked out (in a good way lol)

The Huddy Tommo Way

Thank you for this reaction. I was so afraid but you didnt disappoint, all the opposite. Your respect and kindness made me even more of a fan. Thank you

❣️ Vladlena ❣️

19:42 — «And the hand in the pants is the comfy spot to be in» from Oak was hilarious and such a man thing to say hahaha And I love how you immediately picked up on the “first-name thing” in the freak-out scene! Not every reactor catches that! 35:36 — “That’s his Rose” is so real! Good catch 👏 And your reaction to Scott’s coming out was hilarious! And the iconic final line — “I’ll come to the cottage” — never disappoints! It gets me every freaking time. I love that you shared the hype 🔥🔥🔥 Your reaction to “What the fuck was that?” at 17:27 was top-tier! The loon scene really was hilarious and endearing at the same time!

❣️ Vladlena ❣️

And I’m Ukrainian, but in my daily life I speak Russian and consider it my native language (though of course I also know and speak Ukrainian, just mostly in work settings or public interactions. The war in my country has definitely changed a lot when it comes to the language issue, but that’s not really my point here). What I really want to say is that Connor Storrie is an incredible actor! His Russian sounds pretty freaking great (I’d say 8/10), considering he’s American and doesn’t have any Slavic background. Ilya is also my favorite character, even though in real life I simply can’t stand the neighbors who kill my people every day. But I just can’t help it. Because in Ukraine it’s also not easy for queer people. Yes, it’s better than in Russia, where even LGBTQ literature and cinema are now banned and all such material is heavily censored, but post-Soviet countries are still pretty homophobic, unfortunately. So for Western people it’s A LOT easier. Shane is a vivid example. Yes, maybe some people would have a problem with him being gay, and maybe it would affect his brand deals, but that’s about it. For Ilya, the stakes were much higher from the very beginning. It’s a different kind of weight and struggle.

❣️ Vladlena ❣️

Oak’s comments after the finale were one more reminder of why I love him the most! He always has the most thoughtful and empathetic insights! P.S. Diamond Dave, you are my favorite reactor on this channel (well, you and Oak — it’s hard to choose between the two of you), but a 3.9 score for this show is criminally low! Especially considering the creators made it on a super frugal budget, and the show had almost no sponsors while it was being filmed. They nailed not only the acting and the script, but also the cinematography and the clever use of green screens whenever they didn’t have the budget and had to come up with other solutions. They literally worked wonders with very little!

Jeff K.

Finally finished the series with my wife last night after finally relenting and diving in, and now watching again with the guys. Very good show. I would say this for ANY show, not just this one, but personally I could have done with it being a little less graphic with shorter sex scenes (and I swear, I'd be saying the same if it was a man/woman or woman/woman, or whatever; sex scenes that go on too much and veer a little too much into full on softcore have always made me slightly uncomfortable). But the biggest reason that I would have liked a little less of the physical stuff is because I just enjoy the actual romance/courtship stuff in the show so much better, with people actually connecting and getting to know one another. Kip and Scott's episode was easily my favorite of the first half of the series because I felt like I actually got to know them and their relationship felt earned; up until the last episode and a half, I just didn't buy anything with Shane and Ilya was anything more than lust, because we never really saw them interact outside of physical stuff or flirty texts. Obviously, that all changed with Ilya's phone call from Russia (in a scene that - I'm sorry for all of the Hudson Williams fans out there - clearly established that among the two, Connor Storrie is EASILY the better actor. Dude is a fucking star and that scene of him telling Shane his real feelings in Russian was absolutely beautiful), and then of course with the cottage. Really enjoyed the first season. I'll definitely be watching the second when it comes out, and hoping there's more Scott and Kip, because they really did remain my favorite storyline on the show throughout.

Maria Stoycheva

so, Oak, my two scents about the friends with benefits (FWB) thing: it really depends. the guys have told you, but you probably shouldn't generalise 🤣 it just occurred to me the other day that I've been in a FWB relationship with this one guy for 2 years now. we meet monthly, we chat weekly and the only thing that has changed in these 2 years is the kind of benefits we engage in - we have just gotten more open about what we like, what we want to try etc. on my side, there are zero feelings. on his, I cannot detect anything much either. I am aromantic, so that definitely helps and I realise that that makes me different than all those "everyone" that you are talking about. but we exist, so don't discount us 😉 what you say about the release of chemicals etc is true but it is not permanent. there are ways to make FWB work and it's not too difficult - it just requires a bit of restraint immediately after a date because this is when your emotions are most unstable. several days later you are back to baseline (in my experience, of course, and from what I've read on the topic on Reddit etc :D) however, this is definitely NOT a FWB situation and never was, but that's something I know from the book that isn't immediately obvious in the show 😊

Maria Stoycheva

Oak, to confirm what you strongly suspect already: this series inspired a LOT of us in the LGBTQ community to be more open and more ambitious. It definitely changed me on an almost molecular level. when I first saw episode 6, I didn't see most of the scene between Shane and his mom because I was crying so hard. it hit RIGHT in the feels. but now, 50 or so watches later and after everything I've been thinking about over the last 4 months, I don't cry anymore. it feels me with gratitude to think "no, actually, this is NOT what I need to feel 'right' in my skin". I might get to have this conversation with my parents, or I might not, but I am not going to let this shame stop me from being a bit more authentic in everything I do, and a LOT more authentic in the things I strive for and work towards. this show, and the cast, and the whole fandom have healed something in me, and I am not alone. so many of us feel this way! we really needed this HFN (happy for now, as opposed to HEA - happily ever after) queer story so, so much. and it makes me happy that you saw it and appreciated it so much! and btw, the show blew up because it was raunchy but once people started watching it, they stuck with it because of the story ;) there's a reason both the leads got a matching tattoo that says "Sex sells" :D they sold a lifechanging story with sex, and, from the name of the whole LGBTQ community, I thank them 😊

Mariah Daley

Wow you put into words so much of what I’ve noticed about Ilya. Especially about how he continually take the abuse that’s directed toward him, and only finally loses it when a fraction of that abuse is aimed at someone he loves. Can you imagine what he would do if his brother said anything against Shane? Ilya would probably kill him. I love this character more than probably any fictional character ever. The way you understand him brings literal tears to my eyes

Jane Avery

Whaaat?? Conner doesn't speak Russian? Mind blown! I couldn't detect a false note or accent anywhere when he was speaking - very impressive!

Jackie

I just knew that Oak was going to love this show, and knew you would have a lot of insightful things to say; it is the main reason why I had hoped you guys would watch this show. And I was not disappointed!! So very glad that all of you enjoyed it! Oak, good points made regarding how the show was marketed. But honestly I do think it was kinda smart of them. They roped a lot of people in with the steaminess, and then suddenly folks were hooked and crying and almost everyone says ep 5 is their favorite ep, and there are no sex scenes in it whatsoever! That is one of the many magical elements of the show. They hook you and then give you a really deep emotional story that many people were not prepared for :) that being said, this tactic may not have worked on me lmao. I stuck with the show because my best friends (who know me well, and know i dont care for sex-forward shows, as an asexual person myself) highly recommended it, and because I read the book first and halfway through the book I realized the emotional center and I was hooked. Anyway, that was a long ramble, I basically just wanted to say I really enjoyed your reactions (I binged all 6 episodes of your reactions last night, which was certainly a choice lmao) and I know I am going to be revisiting them often! Excited for you guys to see season 2, having read the other books in the series and therefore having a vague idea of where we are headed - you are in for a treat! :D

Maria

Just came here from YouTube and I don't regret it! As someone else mentioned, there was a mixup with the timeline for this first season of the show. Scott and Kip's book (called Game Changer) is the first book in the Game Changers series and it takes place in January - June of 2017 with Kip's birthday being in mid-March. So it would actually be concurrent with Ep 5. Scott and Kip kind of take a break because it doesn't look like there's a way forward for them. But it only lasts a week or two because Scott just starts feeling sick of being in the closet. He actually comes out more gradually, first to his agent and then to a few of his closest teammates. He also shows up at Kip's house and introduces himself to his parents as Kip's boyfriend. But the big public reveal after the Stanley Cup win is basically exactly as it is in the show. Then toward the end of the second book, Heated Rivalry (which has a much longer timeline December 2008 - July 2017), we get Ilya's POV on the same scene. The decision to have Scott and Kip's story take place in fall of 2013 is a little confusing, but I think Jacob Tierney did a good job overall of adapting the overlapping storylines of the two books, which couldn't have been easy.

Noora

Amazing reaction, so cool how you took everything with the severity it deserved.

Anna Scolaro

In Game Changer, Scott and Kip's book, they weren't broken up for more than 2 weeks, tops. When Kip leaves, Scott realizes that he simply can't lose Kip - he's willing to take some small steps to fix this. Scott decides to come out quietly to his 3 best friends on the team, hoping they will react well. They do, so he then comes out to his coach and his agent. He goes to Kip's house to tell him, and they reveal their relationship to Kip's immediate family. Having a small group that knows about them that they can socialize with is enough for them to stay together. At least until Scott can come out. Especially because Kip will be busy with NYU grad school and time will pass quickly. However, in the book there are only a few months until the Admirals win the Stanley Cup. In the series, the producer/screenwriter/director Jacob Tierney went to edit the whole series together and realized that there was 2.5 years between episode 3 and episode 5. There was no time or budget to do any reshoots to explain what happened in the intervening time. So he has said, yes they have been together all this time. Oh, and it is never explicitly stated in the show, but USA does win the Olympic gold medal. In the book it was quite the year for Scott - Captain of the gold medal team, a Stanley Cup, and he met the love of his life!

Wobit L Teshome

Well, hello mirror-me! As a fellow ace person, I was also hesitant at first to watch it, but saw a reactor that I trust review episode one and decided to give it a try. The emotional center and way that the relationship felt real really got me to stick with it and now I'm obsessed. I haven't read the books and don't plan to until after the show has totally finished airing, but I absolutely LOVE Shane and Hudson's portrayal of him. I binged the whole show in one night, and these reactions too. Can't wait for season 2!

Raquel

I absolutely love Shane, And relate to him being neurodivergent and a person of color. The show is so important as a queer person and I’ve seen so many queer people say that the show helped them come out. And be more free.

VV

100% agree with your comment here! And yes, having them watch some interviews, like the Quinn app interview or each of their Shut Up Evan podcast interviews. You get a good look into their individual personalities as well as their bond with one another.

Arranit Malushaj

Man, I love that you guys not only watched it, but really understood the major themes and the struggles that us in the LGBTQ+ community struggle with in some way shape or form. Loved you guys for a while, but this was a real surprise treat that felt personally awesome.

Maria Hiendl

I love oak is giving a 5 star review. He is just the best. But i am so glad you all really liked it

David Warden

So many annoying people in the comments, great reactions and cool to see some new faces. People are COMPLETELY MISERABLE GEEEZZZ

yoonii

do you guys know that shane has autism right? and that’s why he acts in this way with dealing with things my cutie 🥺