Heated Rivalry (2025, Crave)

Some thoughts and observations

2026.01.03. 🔄 Last updated: 2026.01.04.

This was one of the best LGBTQ+ related TV shows I've ever watched, even though I grew up watching Queer as Folk, have been a big fan of Looking series and really enjoyed watching Fellow Travelers in 2023. It was really SOMETHING and perfectly capped off the year 2025. I just wanted to write a few thoughts and observations about the show since I've already read the original books (Heated Rivalry and The Long Game) by Rachel Reid and I'm still obsessed with it. It's not polished, and I'm probably not saying anything new, but I just wanted to write things down in a numbered list so I can move on.

Thoughts and Observations

1. This is a worldwide phenomenon. First of all, the internet broke after the epic episode 5 ("WE ARE COMING TO THE COTTAGE!"), and we are all still stuck in the cottage. Professional hockey rinks are playing "All The Things She Said," which was the iconic needle drop of the show. All the celebs are talking about it; even Anderson Cooper mentioned it on the New Year's Eve broadcast. Memes, merch, reaction videos, edits and fan art. Everything is still about HR right now, even as we enter 2026. Fans are referring to it as a "cult" or a "prison."
2. One notable thing is how some straight men are reacting to this show. Empty Netters and What Chaos! are hockey podcasts/YouTube channels, and the straight hosts are posting reactions, reviews, and interviews with the producer. They are really into this show, and you can see that they enjoy it as much as they respect it. It's fun to watch, but also a very meaningful moment.
3. I love the main actors, Hudson Williams and Conor Storie, so much. It's not just because they are cute, down-to-earth, and lovely, but also because they know exactly what they're doing. They know their characters inside out and understand the genre (MM romance). Most importantly, they get why the main audience (women) loves stories like this, offering both desire and a sense of safety. They are more than just skilled actors; they are genuinely smart and lovable.
4. In terms of acting, after watching many of their media tours, it is clear that the characters are the polar opposites of the actors themselves. It is very surprising that I couldn't find any traces of the characters in the actors' real personalities. Conor (Ilya) was very impressive with his Russian accent, and his famous monologue in Episode 5 was Emmy-worthy. Hudson is actually quite a loud, fun person, which is not Shane at all, but he nailed the micro-expressions and subtle autistic-coded details of the character. I love them and wish them the best for their future careers.
5. The chemistry between the two actors and the intimacy portrayed is on another level, something far above just smut.
6. I also love how the entire cast and crew support each other and show love on social media. Perhaps it's a Canadian thing?
7. Speaking of the crew, I want to give a big round of applause to Jacob Tierney, the main producer of the series, for turning this short, low-budget show into a masterpiece. The show is cinematic and full of details, especially the bookended scenes (such as mirroring the same postures but shifting from dark to light, and the foot touches) and the perfect soundtrack usage, like using "I'll Believe in Anything" by Wolf Parade in both Episodes 3 and 5. How smart he is and what a delicate touch he has! I still can't believe it took only 40 days to film the show.
8. I relate so much to Shane. I don't know if it's because he is half-Asian or because I see my own neurodivergent traits in him, but either way, REPRESENTATION MATTERS.
9. It is worth mentioning Episode 5 again, which is the highest-rated TV episode of 2025 on IMDb. Watching the ending of this episode was truly overwhelming, in the best way possible. Once again, representation REALLY matters!
10. I see many people saying that this show changed their lives (or at least how they perceive life). It sounds very dramatic, but it seems to be true. In this terrible, horrifying, and harsh world, we needed this warmth from LGBTQ+ TV shows. Queer stories don't always have to be about depression, death, or pandemics.
11. That's why I am a bit frustrated that not many people in Korea are watching it in real-time. But at the same time, I realize that Koreans aren't generally big fans of North American content, at least not as much as I am. Anyway, when it officially launches on Korean OTT platforms, I am definitely going to re-watch it and talk about it with my friends. Wait, actually, being obsessed with this kind of content, even reading the original books, isn't really a "Korean" thing, is it? I guess it's just an "Otaku" thing.
12. Until now, I had never thought about visiting or living in Canada, but after watching this show, I want to go and watch an NHL game in person. It's also because I am a sports fan (football, actually), and I want to experience what hockey is really like in Canada.
13. When you read the original book, you can definitely tell that it is a faithful adaptation from page to screen.
14. As much as I love all the scenes from Episodes 5 and 6, the final end-credit scene is also one of my favorites. I love their facial expressions.
15. The female characters in this TV series are truly outstanding. Of course it is about two men, but the women are so supportive and free of misogyny while also not being one-dimensional. I remember reading that the author enjoys "hot books about hot men doing hot things, and cool ladies being awesome" from the About the Author page. That description fits this show perfectly.
16. I can't believe we have to wait at least a year for the next season. I can't wait!
17. I wish I could find someone I can go to my own cottage with someday.
18. Last but not least, Conor Storie. A star is born, baby. I feel a bit sorry that his YouTube videos from his early teenage years are public and that he has to deal with this digital footprint as a member of Gen Z. However, it is beautiful how he has embraced his younger self and become a great actor. The younger Conor, whose channel name was Actorboy222, once said he wanted to be an actor and had no friends. Now he has achieved his dream and found his "soulmates". He is even dancing to "Like a Prayer" by Madonna in front of the camera, and that scene is playing in clubs everywhere. Who in the world could not love him?