It somehow managed to take an under discussed topic of gay pro-athletes and address it in an extremely tasteful way and somehow maintain a comedic aspect.
I remember in my teenage years watching QaF alone, in secret. Heated Rivalry is something I'd feel I could watch with my mother.
I'd highly recommend avoiding ‘clips' on-line till after you've watched.
You need to watch in order and watch as the relationship develops Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) & Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie)
Are two extremely talented young actors, whose chemistry completely sell the roles.
Warning: Click to reveal spoiler
Without trying to spoil anything.
I'm unable to decide if Ep5 or Ep6 is better.
One Second Ep5 is 0.0000000001% better the next second Ep6
I do know Svetlana (played by Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova) conversation with Ilya Rozanov
after the fight with his brother Is the defenation of a friend.
Shane's non verbal answers to Roes's questions manage to express a heartbreaking admittance
This line is just amazing, I've woken up at 3am thinking about this line.
In the 25 odd years I've been an openly gay man never has an expression felt so apt.
Shane's ‘announcement' scene IS perfect.
From personal experience the reaction of the first person you tell, will set the blueprint for everyone else. Ilya's line
Kills me! After a roll-a-coaster conversion,Ilya admits...
The scene ends with both Shame and Ilya showing how much they need each other.
The underpass scene with Ilya talking with Shane In Russian. Is without a doubt the most amazing 4 minutes of TV I've ever watched.
Obviously a monumental plot device and an emotional scene. Both Shane & Ilya truly make this a heart breaking confession.
Ilya until this point could be described as a Bad Boy.
When taken with Shane's announcement scene (earlier in the episode) and Ilya's Can't go home line, the true magnitude of this scene becomes clear.
I don't feel this scene was really about anyone else. It's Ilya (finally) admitting his feelings (for Shane) to himself
During this scene Ilya's fuck is without a doute the most poignant use of the word in the history of the universe.
My knowledge / use of language is Bad English, worst English and GCSE French But even I understood Svetlana in that epic monologue.
From a complete backseat driver with absolutely no creative ability whatsoever.
I wish with all my heart that the camera had shown Shane reacting to Ilya saying Svetlana.
Without a single doubt Hudson Williams could have conveyed the jealous feeling with just his eyes The accident scene is undoubtedly the most traumatic thing I’ve watched. Not because someone got hurt but the emotional pain on Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) face.
When taken with underpass scene (earlier in the episode) and Ilya’s self-confession the scene is MONUMENTAL
The hospital room scene is somehow emotional yet has a comical twist.
From my personal hospital experience, Hudson Williams absolutely crushes the high-on-drugs conversation.
The way Hudson Williams delivered this line was like a child who finally got the toy.
It shows how safe Shane feel with Ilya
The last few minutes of Ep5
During this entire scene I'm screaming, Scott Hunter (played by François Arnaud) has just dropped a bombshell.
Ilya calls Shane a simply says…
This line reduces me to a mess each time I watch.
I know that had the Season ended here WW3 would have been declared.
They are just talking, and Ilya talks about marrying Svetlana. You can feel Shane's heart break.
As Ilya talks about women, Shane literally becomes a green-eyed jealous monster.
As Ilya talks about his problem you can see Shane relax. He then asks a question.
It's the type of question, where the answer can kill you. That you just want the ground to open and swallow you whole,
Ilya's response is perfect
The charity scene absolutely destroys me each time I watch it!
Like with my conundrum over Ep5 or Ep6. And as a complete backseat driver (I've not got a creative bone in my body), Ilya's Russian confession
I wish would have been more direct not the whisper it was
The last 10 odd minutes of the last episode somehow managed to portray both a highly emotional event with a subtle sense of levity.
Putting aside the fact this line is pants-wetting funny. It's also a sign of how uncomfortable this type of conversation would be
Shane's aversion to the lovers categorization is both justifiable and hilarious.
and follow-up
the joint reaction to this and the following realisation is a moment of hilarity in an uncomfortable conversation.
The entire cast now has the monumental task of maintaining the energy for Season two.
Season One has become an overnight sensation. That success is now an anchor. I truly think the chemistry between these two actors was a big reason for the success
I think Hudson Williams & Connor Storrie are going to become household names.
My hope for season two is we see more of the relationship develop, but without the typical gay character trope. I'd like to see the charity develop.
One Second Ep5 is 0.0000000001% better the next second Ep6
I do know Svetlana (played by Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova) conversation with Ilya Rozanov
after the fight with his brother Is the defenation of a friend.
Ep5
The dinner scene with Shane and Roes lives rent free in my head. This is a truly heat breaking scene.Shane's non verbal answers to Roes's questions manage to express a heartbreaking admittance
The thing is, I kinda prefer to be the hole than the pegSpoken by
Shane Hollander
In the 25 odd years I've been an openly gay man never has an expression felt so apt.
Shane's ‘announcement' scene IS perfect.
From personal experience the reaction of the first person you tell, will set the blueprint for everyone else. Ilya's line
We get together, we fuck it's simpleSpoken by
Ilya Rozanov
because Russia. I would not be able to go back to RussiaSpoken by
Ilya Rozanov
The underpass scene with Ilya talking with Shane In Russian. Is without a doubt the most amazing 4 minutes of TV I've ever watched.
Obviously a monumental plot device and an emotional scene. Both Shane & Ilya truly make this a heart breaking confession.
Ilya until this point could be described as a Bad Boy.
When taken with Shane's announcement scene (earlier in the episode) and Ilya's Can't go home line, the true magnitude of this scene becomes clear.
I don't feel this scene was really about anyone else. It's Ilya (finally) admitting his feelings (for Shane) to himself
During this scene Ilya's fuck is without a doute the most poignant use of the word in the history of the universe.
My knowledge / use of language is Bad English, worst English and GCSE French But even I understood Svetlana in that epic monologue.
From a complete backseat driver with absolutely no creative ability whatsoever.
I wish with all my heart that the camera had shown Shane reacting to Ilya saying Svetlana.
Without a single doubt Hudson Williams could have conveyed the jealous feeling with just his eyes The accident scene is undoubtedly the most traumatic thing I’ve watched. Not because someone got hurt but the emotional pain on Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) face.
When taken with underpass scene (earlier in the episode) and Ilya’s self-confession the scene is MONUMENTAL
The hospital room scene is somehow emotional yet has a comical twist.
From my personal hospital experience, Hudson Williams absolutely crushes the high-on-drugs conversation.
better...Spoken by
Shane Hollander
It shows how safe Shane feel with Ilya
The last few minutes of Ep5
During this entire scene I'm screaming, Scott Hunter (played by François Arnaud) has just dropped a bombshell.
Ilya calls Shane a simply says…
i'm coming to the cottageSpoken by
Ilya Rozanov
I know that had the Season ended here WW3 would have been declared.
Ep6
The Sofa Scene shows Shane & Ilya just relaxing.They are just talking, and Ilya talks about marrying Svetlana. You can feel Shane's heart break.
As Ilya talks about women, Shane literally becomes a green-eyed jealous monster.
As Ilya talks about his problem you can see Shane relax. He then asks a question.
Do you want that problem to go away?Spoken by
Shane Hollander
Ilya's response is perfect
I do not want the problem to ever go away.Spoken by
Ilya Rozanov
The charity scene absolutely destroys me each time I watch it!
Like with my conundrum over Ep5 or Ep6. And as a complete backseat driver (I've not got a creative bone in my body), Ilya's Russian confession
I wish would have been more direct not the whisper it was
The last 10 odd minutes of the last episode somehow managed to portray both a highly emotional event with a subtle sense of levity.
this is ilya, Rozanov, but you already know thatSpoken by
Shane Hollander
Shane's aversion to the lovers categorization is both justifiable and hilarious.
since your rookie seasonSpoken by
Yuna Hollander
so you've been in love since...Spoken by
Yuna Hollander
The entire cast now has the monumental task of maintaining the energy for Season two.
Season One has become an overnight sensation. That success is now an anchor. I truly think the chemistry between these two actors was a big reason for the success
I think Hudson Williams & Connor Storrie are going to become household names.
My hope for season two is we see more of the relationship develop, but without the typical gay character trope. I'd like to see the charity develop.