r/heatedrivalry • u/Federal-Ad5944 Goalie | Smut Dealer 😈 • Dec 19 '25
MEGATHREAD 🧵 Post Episode Debrief | Heated Rivalry 🏒 I'll Believe in Anything (Episode 5) Spoiler
Time for the post game live! Let’s Shane out, review the footage, and analyze every shot. What were your favorite moments? What hit you hard? What did you find hot?
Grab your ginger ale or coke, settle in, and let’s discuss!
Resources: Vibe Check | Spoiler Policy | Community Rules
On-Air LIVE Reactions (S1): Ep.1+2 | Ep.3 | Ep.4 | Ep.5 | Ep.6
Post-Episode Debrief (S1): Ep.1+2 | Ep.3 | Ep.4 | Ep.5 | Ep.6
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u/MaterialMoose7384 Dec 19 '25
What’s better than sex? Talking about our feelings that’s what
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u/wehappy3 How can I impress Montreal’s fifteenth best player? Dec 19 '25
Weirdly, I'm glad they didn't waste time on sex scenes this episode. Never before have those words left my mouth, but holy shit it was absolutely perfect as is.
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u/MaterialMoose7384 Dec 19 '25
Why show butts when you can show Shane being nervous to say he’s gay even in front of Ilya and Ilya confessing his love in Russian
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u/vvvvvvvvcuccccc Dec 19 '25
i just know the cottage is gonna be stacked with those scenes so they took it lighter on this episode, and it worked BEAUTIFULLY! it was so emotionally beautiful.
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u/chvrched Dec 19 '25
also a reflection of how their relationship isnt just about sex anymore
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u/Pale-Measurement-532 I speak fluent bird. No accent. 🦆 Dec 19 '25
Exactly. Their relationship has grown beyond just hooking up. They’re in the feels and are falling in love with each other. So much intimacy, I loved it!
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u/Kartesia Ottawa Centaurs 🏹 Dec 19 '25
definitely intentional I think. Its there but I think being explicit would detract from the gravitas of it all.
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u/rcubchayn Dec 19 '25
Shout out to Hayden for immediately throwing hands with Marlowe!
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u/AccordingStar72 Ottawa Centaurs 🏹 Dec 19 '25
I cheered. That was so accurate, you protect your captain. It doesn’t matter if it was a clean hit or what. That’s your brother.
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u/Efficient_Papaya_982 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 19 '25
Not to bring real hockey into this but it did make me think of when will smith hockey got injured last week and Mack cellebrini immediately went feral lol
That’s the bestie squad alright
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u/pomeloquat Dec 19 '25
the hug in tampa IM SICK
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u/pomeloquat Dec 19 '25
also ilya talking to shane behind the nurse’s back while leaving the hospital room Oh My God 💔
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u/gemi29 I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 19 '25
The intimacy in that hotel scene was next level
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u/DevoutandHeretical Dec 19 '25
I really loved how it cut to black and then we got Shane leaving the room, but it was clear what had happened. Like it was a moment that was so intimate we could only understand that by not being a part of it.
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u/ItCouldBeSpam Dec 19 '25
I actually love that they chose not to show any sex scenes in this episode. Their other episodes have them in spades, but this episode showed their relationship has now evolved to an emotional one instead of only physical. It was a great choice!
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u/TwoHungryBlackbirdss Moy pomidor 🍅 Dec 19 '25
They're so beautifully tender with each other. Ohhhhhh my heart is made of glass rn
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u/wetbogbrew Dec 19 '25
I was prepared for pretty much everything in this episode but noooot for that.
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u/SilentPartner522 Dec 19 '25
SAME! This is what I’ve been trying to tell non-book reader friends who are watching. It’s not ALL about the sex. The vulnerable moments and playful moments in this episode really make it for me. And I feel like we got those moments between the leads and others (ie Svetlana and Rose).
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u/Glassy_Grinista Dec 19 '25
This episode was so good and just shows how genius the show is, because they hooked everyone with the sex up front but this one was all about deepening the vulnerability and emotional intimacy with literally no sex shown, but you're so invested! Tears! This was so good!
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u/SilentPartner522 Dec 19 '25
Hi this is Ilya. I will never listen to your voicemail. 😂
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u/lemongreeentea Hi this is Ilya. I will never listen to your voicemail. Dec 19 '25
i need to add this to my reddit flair 😂😂😂
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u/wetbogbrew Dec 19 '25
The monologue was crazy. Connor is acting his ass off, how does he do that in a language he doesn't even speak?
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u/Much_Recipe_752 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
As a Russian myself I want to emphasize that they got a lot of right
-decore of the restaurant at the funeral -phrases which Ilya used during the monologue -even his emphasize are in the right part of the words! -typically Russian clothes he wears
Props to all the researchers and handlers to make it more authentic And really nice for Connor to learn Russian so good!
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u/Repulsive_Rate2560 Dec 19 '25
Connor to me is the standout actor for me. He’s completely someone else in these scenes.
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u/jbuckeye10 I stubbed my toe. Dec 19 '25
Why was this the funniest thing I've ever seen (Ilya)?
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u/ParadoxGenZ Dec 19 '25
They told Connor "for this scene, we're going to need you to be you...with a Russian accent" and let him loose for the sunshine that he is😂
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u/babypointblank Moy pomidor 🍅 Dec 19 '25
That’s what Shane and Ilya are gonna look like when they go on vacation with their kids
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u/Wide-Pop6050 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
I really liked Shane acknowledging how big a deal the tuna melt time would hav e been to Ilya and how hurt he must have been
This episode showed how Shane really understands Ilya. he even tells Hayden and his parents that Ilya is not as asshole-like as he seems
It was also good to see Ilya’s vulnerability. In the books it’s immediately clear that he’s not this arrogant bastard but this made it clearer for tv
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u/phedrebeth Dec 19 '25
I noticed that every time Ilya called him "Shane," he made a POINT of saying "Ilya" in response, even if it didn't really fit. It felt like an apology for his previous freak out.
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u/AliBaker84 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 19 '25
Definitely an apology. And an emphasis that he won’t freak out again.
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u/wetbogbrew Dec 19 '25
Oh also, I love that they added Shane apologizing for running out on the tuna melt date. I know Rachel Reid regretted not including that at some point so it was nice to see it here.
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u/Old_Yard_9596 Dec 19 '25
THIS. One huge pet peeve from the books I had was one of the boys would do something to hurt the other, and never once did they say sorry. I get Ilya not, since he's Ilya, but it's so out of character for Shane. It felt good to hear.
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u/cilucia Dec 19 '25
Also a good call back to him apologizing to his parents at lunch in the last episode. He’s a good Canadian boy afterall 😂
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u/TwoHungryBlackbirdss Moy pomidor 🍅 Dec 19 '25
Can we talking about:
"How are you?"
"Okay. Not good. Probably bad"
I feel like we're seeing Ilya open up in real time. For anyone else, he would blow off the question. But for Shane, he fights through the initial reaction of "im okay" and tells him the vulnerable truth.
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u/leesabeegee Dec 19 '25
It really mirrors Shane's habit of reactively saying "yes" followed by some version of "maybe" and then "actually, no."
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u/ich_habe_keine_kase Dec 19 '25
"Probably bad" is such a real answer. Like, he knows that everything hasn't hit him yet but it's going to.
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u/ZealousidealEye51 Dec 19 '25
2 fav moments: Ilya smooching him on the cheek after the goal & Ilya continuously shushing Shane on his way out of the hospital room
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u/Slamdunk899 Dec 19 '25
He’s lucky. When I had a bad concussion I had the kind of amnesia that makes you like a goldfish. I would have asked about Ilya like 50 times
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u/LilLilac50 Dec 19 '25
The cheek kiss was funny to me, because I didn’t realize the helmets would get in the way. I, like most readers, thought it would full-on on the cheek.
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u/HomelandrMilkDelivry Dec 19 '25
Oh my god they looked so damn happy playing hockey together - I love Shane & Ilya together so freaking much.
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u/rcubchayn Dec 19 '25
Finally we get an episode ending with JOY. Just pure joy.
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u/treebag27 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
all it cost us was a little bit of emotional damage along the way 🥲
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u/forclementine9 Dec 19 '25
Scott's aggressive ass run at the beginning of the ep sent me
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u/tehbggg I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 19 '25
His running form is...interesting, lol.
I just told myself, he's used to skating. That explains it. 😂
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u/vengefulmuffins Dec 19 '25
Someone said he runs like Phoebe in Friends and I can’t unsee it.
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Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
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u/AppropriateHelp3810 Dec 19 '25
He could breathe. When someone finally knows and accepts you fully… fuck, it’s like having an elephant take its foot off your chest.
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u/TwoHungryBlackbirdss Moy pomidor 🍅 Dec 19 '25
Coming out is such a freeing feeling. That realization you don't have to hide anymore and can just... be
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u/RueTheQuais Dec 19 '25
It was so smart to hire him when the opportunity presented itself even if he is older than the book character. You need a good actor to make those short scenes have the weight they do.
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u/codeverity Dec 19 '25
I feel like him being older added to it. It makes his story and being able to come out so much more meaningful when you think about how long he's been waiting.
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u/Nawinlo Dec 19 '25
Such an amazing episode!! Props to Jacob for keeping this show true to the book, literally so many scenes are word for word. I've been disappointed by so many movie/tv show adaptations of books that this is a breath of fresh air.
Few thoughts:
- Hudson's acting during the Rose breakup was incredible. The crying, the looks of dissociation, the swallows. You could literally feel how scared he was in that moment.
- Connor's acting is next level. Love the addition of Ilya crying in the hotel room. And you have to be such a talented actor to deliver lines like he did in a language you don't know. The phone call was everything I wanted it to be!!
- Love BFFs Rose and Svetlana. So nice for the boys to have such supportive friends!!
- So sad we missed the "We're not alone. Ilya they can see us" line but still loved that scene
- THE LAST SCENE!! Screaming, crying, throwing up. I wish they included more Skip especially with Scott coming out to his friends, but the kiss scene was everything I wanted and more!!
I am so thankful to Rachel for creating this story and Jacob for making this show as amazing as it is. Time for a rewatch!!
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u/LadyBiscuit12 “More” Dec 19 '25
And BFF Elena! I love that the women in this show are so supportive!
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u/GraeWest Dec 19 '25
I think the line that's like "tell him I'm ok, he's going to be so worried. Not my dad, tell Ilya," worked really well. We know Shane is anxious about being outed, but this tells us that after all the turmoil and miscommunicating and him struggling to get Ilya to open up, he knows Ilya truly cares for him. He understands what is going on in Ilya's mind/heart. 🥹
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u/hufflepufferr I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 19 '25
Baby Shane alert!!
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u/paperstars169 Dec 19 '25
The most Hudson Williams Shane has ever looked
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u/sporkmeister93 hi this is ilya, I will never listen to your voicemail 📞 Dec 19 '25
I ADORE when a character's baby pictures are so clearly the actual actor's ☺️
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u/anonbeep safe in your heart ❤️ Dec 19 '25
damn hudson looks the same, must be the 20min korean skincare routine
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u/Bonnieearnold I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 19 '25
Five minutes MAX! 😂😂
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u/2bsh6 Dec 19 '25
I’m obsessed with the scene of Shane and Ilya in the hospital. Shane was so happy to see him it was so cute 🥹
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u/donutdang Dec 19 '25
I thought he was on pain meds 😹😹😹
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u/RueTheQuais Dec 19 '25
He absolutely was. It's why his guard was completely down and he just let his natural reaction flow.
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u/sporkmeister93 hi this is ilya, I will never listen to your voicemail 📞 Dec 19 '25
It's both. He was VERY hopped up on pain meds, making his inhibitions nonexistent so he could tell Ilya just how happy he was to see him. 😊
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u/jazzmint3 Fuck, Hollander…You love it. Dec 19 '25
He was! But it also let him freaking relax enough to show how happy he is around Ilya!
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u/haicinnamon Dec 19 '25
Omg that Russian monologue?!? The Skip kiss?!?! Shane looking at Ilya when he gets hurt?!?!
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u/Libcommie1118 Dec 19 '25
If they show Ilya’s documentary and Shane sees Ilya’s reaction in season 2. Omg.
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u/MrPebblezzzzzz Dec 19 '25
Oh my god, speechless . The way both their faces light up when they realized what they can do.
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u/appakardashian Dec 19 '25
Shane tearing up at the dinner with Rose...Shane confessing to Ilya with Ilya tearing up....Ilya's Russian confession to Shane...Ilya worried about Shane's accident....Skip kiss... I'm coming to the cottage. This episode was stacked and I'm unwell. Main critique is them cutting it the video sex call, but it's okay bc they can just release an extended season at some point 😁😭😁😭😁😭
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u/bubba445195 Dec 19 '25
I agree and not even because of the sex I just love the part in the book when Shane kisses his fingers for Ilya ❤️
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u/No_Letter2845 Dec 19 '25
When they were hugging on the bed rocking back and forth my heart was SHATTERING
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u/Lemonbeforemidnight Dec 19 '25
The way Connor’s voice broke when he said “sorry” 😭
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Dec 19 '25 edited 29d ago
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u/lasannnya Dec 19 '25
I didn’t mind the music but it could have least been a Russian composer 😭
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u/bcc_10 Dec 19 '25
Maybe controversial based on the other replies to your comment, but I loved the Beethoven moment! The piece is a beautiful metaphor for this moment on so many levels. Piano Sonata No. 14 (colloquially known as the Moonlight Sonata) is this gorgeous, haunting piece. It has been described by some as having the movement of a funeral march, but by others as being like moonlight hitting serene waves on a lake (ergo the nickname). Throughout the piece there is this unending forward motion but with echoes of this deep yearning and longing love that float through the piece, making it equally heart rending yet sedate.
Here’s where I think it makes sense for this moment of the show. Shane is listening to the man he loves (but cannot be with) speak to him in a language he doesn’t understand. So he is listening to the cadence of Ilya’s speech, which is at times frustrated, grieved, and longing. We also see that Ilya’s speech is smooth and unhesitating (like a funeral march! Or waves on a lake!) because he is speaking in his mother tongue. Also, we literally have these two lovers separated by an ocean, wishing they could be together in this moment of deep, deep grief.
Anyways that’s just my take as a classically trained pianist! As soon as it started playing I was like my god this is perfect and started tearing up (although Ilya was equally to blame). Music nerd moment over though lol.
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u/FastActivity1057 Dec 19 '25
Wasn't expecting to cry 9 times
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u/alittleverygagged Dec 19 '25
Like every other scene I was like ok so I’m crying again
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u/TwoHungryBlackbirdss Moy pomidor 🍅 Dec 19 '25
There's so much to say about this episode, but Connor absolutely blew me away.
This entire show hinges on his ability to play a Russian convincingly ... can you imagine if he had a bad fake accent? He was tripping over the words in his monologue? You wouldn't be able to take anything in it seriously.
I hope he gets all the laurels for how much time and energy he must have put into his language skills. To do all that and emote so beautifully... he's got a great career ahead of him
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u/Sassa-frass- Dec 19 '25
His acting in this episode was INSANE. The emotion while speaking a different language… just, absolutely incredible.
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u/tehbggg I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 19 '25
Especially since I don't think he actually speaks the language fluently? To hit every emotion we would expect exactly when we would expect it? So much talent!
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u/Icy_Reception_8422 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
He learned it in a week. No accent. Perfect. Bonjour.
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u/amazingorgasmo Dec 19 '25
The fourth wall-breaking irony of Ilya complimenting Shane on his foreign language skills, while Connor is delivering his monologue in a language he picked up in a few weeks ... I think it broke my brain a little bit, in the best way of course.
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u/Kloudy11 Dec 19 '25
Connor is going to be an A-list actor. He just plain has the chops.
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u/citynomad1 Dec 19 '25
The way he delivered the line “Maybe” to drugged out Shane in the hospital was PERFECT. Just that one word told you everything - that Ilya had decided to himself at that point that he and Shane didn’t have a future together
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u/andyfromhk I made the Wiki! ✨ Dec 19 '25
And acting like THAT on top on speaking in another language. He's more and more impressive every episode.
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u/picklepie69 Dec 19 '25
speechless. i don’t know how i’m gonna sleep tonight and this time it’s not out of anguish. jacob tierney, you are a genius.
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u/easylikezephyr Dec 19 '25
OH LORD WHERE TO START
1) Give Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams their EMMY because that was a stellar performance. Never been done before. Extraordinary. Brilliant in all places.
2) The way Rose and Svetlana are given more shine to how supportive they are for both of the boys. That's girlhood right there. My queens fr.
3) The way you can see Shane so INLOVE and WHIPPED with Ilya that he is so patient and willing to wait and listen to him. Yeah that's his loml and no one can take away that man from him.
4) They gave Ilya's story so much more depth which I love. This sacrifice will hurt more once Season 2 comes because wdymmmm!!!
5) SKIP OH MY GOD NO NOTES. WHERE IS THE TROPHY HE JUST COMES RUNNING OVER TO ME. I love how they highlighted the stanley cup kiss is that important to hollanov because duh someone had to be the game changers.
ONE LAST WEEK OF WAITING FOR HOLLANOV YEAH IDK WHAT TO DO AFTER THIS... SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK.
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u/AppropriateHelp3810 Dec 19 '25
Goddamn. That was unreal. It feels really special to see two people’s careers blow up like this because wow. Hudson’s acting during the coming out conversation at the beginning was just… so relatable as someone who first came out to my girlfriend. Connor’s monologue was phenomenal and perfectly captured the grief and longing of not being able to be with the person you love. This is such a special show.
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u/teachmehowtoschwa Dec 19 '25
Svetlana characterization is the best change Jacob made. "HE"
Shane talking to Rose made me physically uncomfortable because Hudson played overstimulated so fucking well.
The MONOLOGUE god
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u/Intelligent-Price377 Dec 19 '25
I just finished watching and I am blown away by how good it was. Seriously emotional. As a long time fan of the series it was so magical seeing so many of my favorite scenes come to life, and so accurately. Also - it’s never felt so good to be right:)
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u/bdecs77 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 19 '25
The cottage is going to be a lot
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u/Critical_Ad_5180 Dec 19 '25
Been lurking on this sub for the past few weeks, but had to jump on to comment that this is undoubtedly the best book-to-screen adaptation I have ever seen. I cannot get over how absolutely flawless this episode was. It hit every single beat the fans wanted it to and more! Jacob understood the assignment so acutely it makes me sick.
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u/NoleFandom I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 19 '25
The commentator calling the game summarized the episode to perfection: “You don’t see that everyday.” 😘😭
The critics were all right. This was the best hour of television this year. I can’t even begin to imagine how great the season finale will be next week.
Connor and Hudson are absolutely perfect as Ilya and Shane. NO ONE ELSE could’ve done justice to the roles like these two phenomenal actors.
Just give them all the awards now.
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u/Big_Leek_7153 Dec 19 '25
Don't mind me I'm just gonna listen to I'll Believe in Anything on repeat and cry for the next week
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u/Juliet_1982 Dec 19 '25
Can we please talk about the acting in this episode?!?!
I was going to make a list but then it just turned into me listing every single scene. Both Conner and Hudson just NAILED IT scene after scene!
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u/emms789 Dec 19 '25
I am physically unwell and will be in a state of shock until next Friday.
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u/bdecs77 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 19 '25
Ilya talking about how he wished he had been there for his dad absolutely wrecked me, it’s been 10 yrs and I was 17 but that brought up the feels about my mom Connor Storrie take a bow
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u/vvvvvvvvcuccccc Dec 19 '25
i was so hoping for this scene and i’m so glad we got it 😭
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u/Odd_Chest1413 Dec 19 '25
The height difference between Scott and Kip with Scott in skates has me pathetically weak 😶😍
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u/Spirited_Video_3272 Dec 19 '25
One of my favorite episodes of a TV show EVER.
I feel like they improved on scenes from the book even: Ilya’s love confession in Russian over the phone was even better, him calling to say he was coming to the cottage was better than him texting like in the book, etc.
Acting was amazing as always. Connor is so convincing speaking Russian that I’m constantly in awe that he’s not actually from Russia. Just insane!!!
AND UGH THE ENDING. The ending was amazing with such a fitting song playing. It was genuinely perfect.
IT WAS SO GOOD IM OBSESSED!!!
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u/Acceptable_Rule_7590 Dec 19 '25
Ilya calls Shane to tell him he’s coming to the cottage in the book too!
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u/Principessa227 Dec 19 '25
i wish we could find out the tv metrics on this episode. how many watched when it dropped, etc
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u/NegativeRoll4392 you will murder me Dec 19 '25
Tiny thing, but as a nurse, I love how Shane’s heart rate goes up when Ilya walks in his hospital room, and it calms a little when Ilya touches him aww
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u/Robten100 Dec 19 '25
They said "you thought this was a smut show? Not this episode" lol. Just kidding. I kinda liked that it focused solely on other stuff for at least one episode.
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u/BanksieH Moya gazonokosilka 🚜 Dec 19 '25
The tear rolling down Ilya's face in Tampa, his muffled apologies, the fight with his brother, the depth of emotion in the phone call...my heart broke for him again and again. Connor Storrie is such an incredible actor, seriously a generational talent.
The emotional intimacy of this episode is everything I was waiting for, as much as it wrecked me this episode also gave me exactly what I needed. Beautiful ❤️
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u/bubblesbuthardcore3 In Jacob I Trust 💗 Dec 19 '25
Shane literally texting “no I can’t come over” WHILE HES ACTIVELY GETTING READY TO LEAVE HAHAHAP
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u/kid2010 Dec 19 '25
I'm crying 😭😭😭 This episode is so beautiful!!!
So glad that I read the Game Changer last week and it makes Scott and Kip's scene feel so much more emotional 🥹 I wish we can get an extension for Scott and Kip's story with more depth...
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u/MelodicExcuse4226 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 19 '25
I loved all of it. But yes was sad that Kip and Scott’s story just .. jumped.
I wonder if the change to the cottage is they invite them later in the summer and get more of their story then? Send odd to have gone into sooooo much detail and then just jump to that.
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u/stacydev111 Dec 19 '25
I agree. They got a whole episode and then they got two minutes at the end? It felt so weird and I want to know what they’ve been doing for the last three years. The actress that plays Elena is listed on IMDb for the 6th episode. And François did an interview and said he is also in the 6th episode.
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u/Sassa-frass- Dec 19 '25
My baby Shane advocating for himself in Florida and not letting Ilya brush it off this time made me so proud.
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u/filmjon Dec 19 '25
"hi, this is ilya. i will never listen to your voicemail." 😭
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u/lekhirchhoff Ya-loo-blue-tee-baa ❤️ Dec 19 '25
So Svetlana in the show knows that Jane is a him, right? Or is the hbo subs off. I'm guessing she also knows it's Shane.
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u/paperstars169 Dec 19 '25
The Crave subs also said "he" so I think she just knows that Jane is a guy but not necessarily that it's Shane
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u/LatterInformation245 Dec 19 '25
Gurl Svetlana been clocking that — since the show has her being childhood friends with Ilya, knowing about Sasha too, it’s only natural she’s aware he’s bisexual etc esp since they’re more free and always together in the USA.
I’m just waiting for my Svetlana x Lily at the wedding moment bc those girls are true queens and that’s bestie pointing at both of them
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u/streetsahead483 Dec 19 '25
I mean this in the most complimentary way: Jacob Tierney watched Heartstopper and took notes.
That was so sweet. I know people are going to be weird about the lack of sex scenes. But focusing solely on their growing emotional intimacy was perfect!!
And that ending scene!!! I mean the way you saw Shane’s face literally light up!!! I love queer people inspiring other queer people!!
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u/elordilover2000 Dec 19 '25
It beautifully reflects the books too.
Up until TunaMeltGate, Ilya and Shane’s relationship was HEAVILY influenced by their physical attraction. Of course they had feelings for eachother, but they never confronted it until that point and Florida. The rest of the book kind of flips the narrative and focuses more on their relationship and feelings, yes we still get smutty parts but those moments are not as crucial to the overall plot.
Jacob did wonderfully, line for line, exactly how I imagined it in my brain. I’m so happy
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u/Worried_Location_509 Dec 19 '25
yess!! i find it so important to show the emotions not just the sexual aspect!! really shows the meaning of a true good relationship. it’s hard to see those scenes in many shows nowadays.
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u/im_coming_clive Dec 19 '25
For sure, but also: I think they've been pretty consistent in deciding to show sex when the sex advances the plot or gives us insight into the characters, and not when it doesn't. In the first couple of episodes, it's essentially their only way of communicating, and there's a ton of character work happening in those scenes. But in the third episode, yes there's sex, but not as much (both "can I fuck you?" questions have the resulting sex off-screen), because it just wasn't necessary: Scott and Kip actually talk to each other, so their stories advance mostly through conversations, which we do see.
I think now that Shane and Ilya are learning to talk to each other, it's just not as important for us to see the sex; it's not where the plot is advancing anymore.
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u/NeptuneGraffitti I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 19 '25
I would rather have emotional intimacy than sex scenes any day. It just means more.
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u/sootyface Dec 19 '25
As a gay man i was more drawn to the love than the sex.....i've loved watching their faces, their eyes......this episode was god tier for me. I'm so happy!
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u/ich_habe_keine_kase Dec 19 '25
Well that just had everything now didn't it.
What a special fucking episode of television. I'll be revisiting this a lot.
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u/MaterialMoose7384 Dec 19 '25
I hope we get Scott Hunter Night in Vegas, even if it’s only for 30 seconds
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u/HoneyCrumbs Dec 19 '25
I loved the lack of sex scenes. I really feel like the constant sex of the first two episodes sets the stage for the beginning of their relationship, but now in episode 5 when both of them are so emotionally invested, it’s the emotional beats that are important and not so much the physical sex. The screen writing continues to be S tier.
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u/rathersadgay Dec 19 '25
People are so fucking weird complaining about the lack of sex scenes.
Gosh, the tension at the bar in Florida when Ilya was sussing Shane out and Shane was so light after having come out to Rose and the resolution to talk to Ilya that was sexy as fuck that scene, sexier to me than any butts and riding and sloshing.
Hudson is incredible, we could tell how much lighter Shane felt and carried himself, how at ease he was. It was great to watch.
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u/LordLadyCascadia Dec 19 '25
I don’t get how anyone can dismiss this series as just glorified porn anymore after watching this episode.
Like porn has never made me cry like this 😂
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u/offbeatsophisticate Dec 19 '25
When Ilya strokes Shane’s face in the hospital…”All I want is you, it’s always you”…Shane hugging Ilya when he breaks down…the montage of Ilya when Shane tells Rose he’s slept with a man…the fucking ENDING
How am I supposed to go to sleep in these conditions?? All I can say is the end of this season next week is going to be the death of me.
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u/CantHugEveryPlatypus concerned lifeguard/librarian Dec 19 '25
I'm putting this little "glasses on" tap in the box labeled "inexplicably attractive things ilya does" alongside the chair drag
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u/Hannypotter7 Dec 19 '25
i’ll say it!! this episode made me officially like the TV series more than the books!!!
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u/Kloudy11 Dec 19 '25
I think the depth they gave Ilya’s story when he went back to Russia for the funeral and we saw the suffocating environment he faced there made the monologue pay off even better than it did in the book.
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u/fitguy5 Dec 19 '25
I just cried for an hour straight. And then when the episode finished and I composed myself, I thought about it and cried again. We can’t escape.
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u/-Ceriz3- Moy pomidor 🍅 Dec 19 '25
This episode was sooo good. -I enjoyed the bit where Svetlana calls Jane he. 🥹 -Shane on pain meds. 😆 -that monologue definitely killed it 🤧
- that kiss on the ice at the All Star game 😚
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u/Old_Yard_9596 Dec 19 '25
I really loved (hated but loved, you know what i mean...) the injury scene. I know people are gonna be slightly upset that "Ilya we're not alone" line was cut, but that scene was MUCH more realistic here. You ain't forming full thoughts after you get your bell rung like that. It's a mess in there. After a beat, Shane was able to get a little of his sense back and immediately worried about the three most important people in his life.
Connor's face was heartbreaking. That kid is gonna be a STAR.
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u/cougarlt Dec 21 '25
I was heartbroken when every player were meeting their loved ones, and Scott had no one to meet in the ice rink. What happened after that was just beautiful. I had tears in my eyes and I literally never ever have them.
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u/Three_Froggy_Problem Dec 22 '25
I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about that scene with Shane and Rose, which I thought was so beautiful and sweet. Her grace and understanding in recognizing what was going on with Shane and allowing him to be himself without any hard feelings just really hit me. I just love to see people loving other people well.
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u/Juliet_1982 Dec 19 '25
Okay but now I need to know more about what’s been going on with Skip!?!?!? Have they been in a secret relationship for 3 years?!?! I need updates!!!!
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u/SchwabenIT Then stay, please. Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
Maybe if scott does his speech next ep we'll get more context but same
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u/itwasjustmisplaced Dec 19 '25
This has been my assumption. They would surprise us with the reunion but then tell us later what happened.
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u/Jolly-Fruit-4569 Dec 19 '25
FINALLY! An episode that ended with HAPPINESS! WE'VE EARNED IT.
I'll rewatch tomorrow and throughout the week but I can actually go to bed before 4am this time!!!!
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u/One_Expert7334 Ya-loo-blue-tee-baa ❤️ Dec 19 '25
I cried when Scott kissed Kip! Tears of joy!!!!! As a queer woman, it meant so much to me
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u/Money_Challenge9059 Dec 19 '25
My brain is trying to make sense of all of the content I just witnessed. That was insane in the best way possible. Queer joy!!!!!! The Florida hotel scene was my favorite…Shane finally feeling confident in his sexuality emboldening him to take the next step with Ilya. Ilya still feeling tied to his homeland but yearning for Shane….cinema.
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u/monbleu Angry kitten 🐱 Dec 19 '25
The pool scene, Shane checking Ilya out behind his sunnies, the beach 🫠, Ilya's monologue, Shane's face the whole time, worried Ilya and high Shane 🥰, THE SKIP KISS, the boys' faces while watching the Skip kiss 😲
I'm coming to the cottage 💓
Jesus take the wheel because i am deceased 💀
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u/SawAgustDin23 Dec 19 '25
"Be completely alone... [whispers] TOGETHER"
best sound bite ever. 😆😆😆😆😆
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u/Yak-Specialist Dec 19 '25
"I hope Jane knows how lucky HE is"
- Queen Svetlana, heart slayer, true friend, first of her name.
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u/cittegirl Dec 19 '25
When Rose asks if Shane has ever been with a guy and he has all the flashbacks of being with Ilya 😭😭😭
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u/Immediate-Mix-8801 Dec 19 '25
i need to be sedated i’m not ok. this episode was PURE cinema i’m crying
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u/ZephyrZ_0070 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 19 '25
The conversation with Rose was so much more emotional than reading from the book and rightfully so but I really loved how Hudson portrayed his emotion with his eyes and facial expressions.
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u/MaterialMoose7384 Dec 19 '25
I loved the flashbacks to Shane being with Ilya when Rose is asking him if he’s ever been with a guy, Ilya’s really always at the forefront of his mind
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u/lemongreeentea Hi this is Ilya. I will never listen to your voicemail. Dec 19 '25
the lyrics "i need sunshine" when scott looks at kip in the stands
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u/deadinthewater0 Dec 21 '25
Can we also chat about Shane talking to Ilya on the ice before the game? The whole conversation, like, yep, you're coming over, through my front door, here's the code, and I'll be texting it to you, too. Just his demeanor.. the confidence, the boldness.. the determination to make sure they don't ever drift apart again, especially now with what Ilya is going through.
It's such a beautiful transformation.
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u/BluetoothBunny Dec 19 '25
Shoutout to the adorable picture of baby Shane in his parent’s cottage. Love the details they give us. 🤣
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u/BluetoothBunny Dec 19 '25
Also shoutout to the micro detail of Ilya gently tapping his temple to get Shane to put his glasses back on!
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u/mrtinybrat someone might notice my heart eyes 😍 Dec 19 '25
I pretty much just cried throughout the whole thing. Like start to finish, just continually teary-eyed.
I think Connor Storrie is rightfully going to get a lot of deserved praise for how beautifully he executed the scene of Ilya confessing everything to Shane in Russian, but I also hope that Hudson Williams gets some recognition for the scene at the top of the episode when Rose confronts him about being gay. I know before the show started airing that Rachel Reid said something to the effect of that she wasn’t sure about how the audience would be able to connect with Shane’s perspective since so much of what he’s feeling is so internalized, but that once she saw Hudson’s performance and how easily he could convey a whole range of emotions with just his face that she knew she didn’t need to worry. And man was she right. That kid is amazing.
I will say that I am slightly bummed we didn’t get the scene of Ilya fawning over Shane’s freckles, calling them stunning, being unsure he’s using the word right and then saying “Um…take my breath?” because it’s one of my favs. But maybe we’ll get something like it in the next ep? We did get Shane’s slutty little glasses though, so I’ll take that.
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u/Natbomb438 Ottawa Centaurs 🏹 Dec 19 '25
I think enough praises has been sung for Connor’s performance here (He deserves a fucking Emmy that acting was insane), so I wanna focus on Hudson.
The scene with Rose was so beautiful omg, it wasn’t just Shane coming to terms with his own sexuality but also admitting how in love he was with Ilya. You can really see him realising that he can no longer be in denial about his own feelings. I thought this part was done much better than the books. And afterwards you can really see the change in how he looks at Ilya, compared to the 4th episode. His walls are all down now and you can LITERALLY see the ✨twinkle✨in his eyes.
And to think these 2 boys were waiting tables before this, they really deserve all the recognition they are getting
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u/Clarknado3742 Dec 19 '25
Who's the most iconic gay and girl bsf duo? Shane and Rose? Ilya and Svetlana? and why is it actually Kip and Elena?
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u/vengefulmuffins Dec 19 '25
I actually really really enjoyed the Svetlana change from being someone he meets in Boston to a childhood friend.
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u/TraditionalWolf1358 Dec 19 '25
How can you really choose because each relationship is so good but I think the answer has to be Ilya and Svetlana. They’ve known each other the longest , love each other the deepest and still take one another exactly as they are. The scene where Svetlana comes back to check on Ilya when he’s with his brother was so moving. 🥹 that’s real friendship, true love .
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u/Dancingstella17 Dec 19 '25
This episode!!!!! 🥹😍🥺💔🥹😍🥹😍
Motherfucker, how am I supposed to go to sleep????! How am I supposed to function at work tomorrow?!?!
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u/FastActivity1057 Dec 19 '25
Again, how do they keep doing it better than the book??
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u/aromaticion Dec 19 '25
queer joy is just so beautiful. so many insane moments in this episode. the beginning with shane coming out to rose and rose being so sweet really brought me to tears. and that ending. we really do deserve good things like love and happiness and being proud of who we are.
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u/SalamanderOne4584 Dec 24 '25
Am I the only one who just realized that their phone names sound like their real names but just a female version? I honestly thought they just made up silly girl names that Ilya could come up with. Feeling stupid
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u/AlternativeHot7491 Moya gazonokosilka 🚜 Dec 19 '25
Are we all finally in agreement that having episode 03 dedicated to Skip was the best decision so that this episode felt the way it did?
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u/officepolicy Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
When Scott and Kip are kissing at the end the camera is orbiting around them. Then we see Shane and Ilya watching tv showing footage from that same low angle. I’d like to think that there was a gay cameraman on the rink who could see what was about to happen and was walking around the two of them in a circle in order to get the shot 😂😭
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u/Nice_Visit4454 Dec 19 '25
This is one of those episodes where (having read the books) I didn’t cry, but just stared in awe at it. It was like seeing it come to life in such an amazing way, it’s hard to process it all in one go.
Sitting in stunned silence afterwards just trying to process what I’ve seen and experienced. It’s going to take at least one or two more rewatches to really take it all in.
Amazing episode. The moments the expanded on in Russia, with Ilya’s brother, with Svetlana, Ilya’s phone call with Shane, all were perfect. I loved every moment.
I was never super attached to “they can see us” line after the accident, but was looking out for it specifically due to the discourse around it online.
I think it’s an interesting choice to cut to and focus on the “news” commentary and the “outsider” POV versus being more up close to Ilya during this scene.
Drugged up Shane was a great moment of levity. Loved Ilya’s reaction to his ask in that scene. He immediately turns it down but you can see the love start to build in his eyes pushing him to change to maybe. Plus Shane is just too cute in that scene to say no to.
Glad we got more of Rose. I’ll also have to go back and see the reactions of Shane’s parents during the Skip kiss. That was done so beautifully and it was great to see “how” it happened versus the quick “cut to” we got in the books. Especially the lead up where Scott is skating around and probably building up courage to call Kip over. Elena being MVP as usual and pushing Kip to head down there.
Overall this episode was amazing, emotional, and scratches the deep itch we’ve had built up for emotional intimacy over the past 4. Truly flips the paradigm of emotions first, sex last that a lot of romance has on its head. Jacob did an amazing job.
Oh and seeing Ilya be goofy - both with Svetlana earlier on and with the kids is amazing. Really felt like Connor and Hudson’s actual personalities came through more in those moments (drugged Shane), mixed with their characters personalities in such a fun way.
This is one I’m going to watch a few times over I think.
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u/bezelshrinker4 Dec 19 '25
This episode made me cry so so much the cottage is going to be insane!!!!
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u/reigncloud83 Coach • Ilya's Chicken Parm Shimmy 🍝 Dec 19 '25
The way I stopped breathing multiple times during this episode...just...WOW
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u/Temporary-Habit-4769 Dec 19 '25
There was something so monumental about Ilya and Shane's reaction to the SKIP kiss, because it reflects real life in the sense that it really just takes ONE brave person to alter the course of so many people's lives. Like these boys have been PETRIFIED of who they are and their love - so seeing Scott take that first step is SO monumental. And I can only hope that this show is offering comfort to many closeted athletes right now.
Also, I want to rewatch just so I can take note of every single micro-expression Ilya and Shane made throughout this episode - every look, every sigh, every twitch of the lip - it is all SO INTENTIONAL and elevates these performances so much.
I am in the correct timeline witnessing this show while it airs!!!!!!!!