Season one of Crave-HBO Max series “Heated Rivalry” has brought up a lot of conversations. Every time I ask someone if they have seen the show, they usually say it was a lot to take in, especially because the show’s intimate scenes between two men was a first for them.
I will admit, it was a lot to take in for the first episode. It seemed like there were more sex scenes than “Euphoria.” While some shows, in my opinion, include intimate scenes that feel unnecessary and add nothing to the plot, “Heated Rivalry” scenes are crucial to understanding Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s relationship throughout season one.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) student Mia Martinez pointed out that these intimate scenes are the main way the characters communicate at the beginning of the show.
“If you take from the story plot standpoint, you kind of need that cause that’s how they learn to communicate. Because they start with physical, and then it leads to emotional, and then they shy away from it and then they go back,” Martinez said.
While the show is set in the world of professional hockey league, understanding how the league works is not necessary to enjoy the show. It is similar to Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso,” where the setting revolves around a football club in the Premiere League, the highest division in England. The show portrays an accurate representation of the hierarchy within English and European football.
After watching the show again and learning how European football operates, I can appreciate the show’s representation even more. Even though hockey in North America is not as complex as European football, “Heated Rivalry” is able to accurately represent how the professional leagues work.
UTEP student Nathan De La Mora said the sports setting is only part of the story.
“Even though the story is centered around sports, the main focus is really on romance and emotional intensity,” De La Mora said. “It largely depends on how open-minded someone is about sexual diversity. If people are open and set their taboos aside, they can truly enjoy the show.”
I believe Rose Landry, a character who briefly dates Hollander, is one of the most important characters. Without Landry handling Hollander’s sexuality, the way she did, he wouldn’t have been able to accept himself within his own sexual identity nor be able to accept Rozanov as a person he could love.
“I cried, cause I’ve had people come out to me,” Martinez said. “To have people who they can trust, it’s great.”
The presence of strong female characters throughout the season is also important. To me, these characters are the key elements that help create the space for these men to express their respective love interests in a healthy way.
Rozanov’s best friend, Svetlana Vetrova, has such a deep and high emotional intelligence where she is able to accept him for who he is and always was. The same can be said for Elana Rygg, who supported her best friend Kip Grady and challenged Scott Hunter to do what is right in a mature way.
My favorite subplot in the show was the relationship between Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. This hit my heart because of the stories I have heard from family and friends who identify as LGBTQ+. Hearing stories of projected aggression made seeing a similar storyline play out on screen interesting.
“At first, I really identified with Kip. I’ve been in relationships where I was kept a secret, and seeing how their relationship began and how it ended made me feel genuinely sad. I could even say a few tears fell, although that might sound dramatic,’ De La Mora said. “In the end, I felt happy that Scott had the courage to openly accept his relationship and his sexuality in front of the world.”
In the final episode, Hollander and Rozanov spend time in the cabin for the off-season. The setting gives us a look into their relationship regarding their evolving communication skills. Every conversation they have elevates their relationship. The vulnerability shown by both characters in a safe space was well-written and shot.
However, their retreat hits a speed bump. The speed bump in question was of course Shane’s father, David Hollander’s broken phone charger. I must admit, seeing his father walk into his cabin and seeing him watch his son kissing his heated rival had to be more shocking that finding out his son was gay.
When Rozanov and Hollander later visited his parents’ cabin to talk about “the charger incident,” it was a fun scene to watch. Hollander’s mother, Yuna Hollander, another strong female character, ultimately accept her son and his not-so heated rival.
That moment reminded me of the show “Ted Lasso,” where one of the players came out as gay. While everyone in the locker room said it didn’t matter to them, Ted Lasso delivers an incredible speech where the point was made that they do care, and they don’t, not care.
With season two of “Heated Rivalry” beginning this summer and expected to premiere in spring 2027, I can definitely say this show has been one of my favorites in recent memory.
And shoutout to all the girlies in the newsroom who have shown an interest in hockey, even though they just want the players to kiss.
Every time I drink a ginger ale, I think about the hardships of love and what it means to be brave.
Kristian Hernandez is the sports editor for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected] and social media tags @northeastvideography
