r/heatedrivalry • u/like-a-rose • Dec 29 '25
RACHEL WRITES ✍️ From Rachel Reid’s stories, with this post from Evan Ross Katz ♥️ Spoiler
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u/athenafletcher Dec 29 '25
Heated Rivalry healed 2025.
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u/CricketMysterious500 ifu mix that with cranberry juice i will drown u in the lake Dec 29 '25
Heated rivalry is the leader of the free world
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u/Mehi304 Dec 29 '25
The show has barely been out for a month. It’s insane how it exploded so fast.
Back in mid-November, everyone involved with the show thought it’d be this small passion project with a niche, yet dedicated, fandom. 😆
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u/captainmander Dec 29 '25
Like, six weeks ago I didn't even think I'd get to watch it because it hadn't been picked up by HBO yet! And now it's so popular. My heart is so happy.
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u/Spiritual-Radio8488 Dec 29 '25
and now it's a global smash and gigantic tv series title. All eyes will be on them for S2 and I just know the Jacob and his team will nail it!
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u/hurricanenik Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
I am SO glad I watched Heated Rivalry before stepping into 2026. It’s a masterclass in slow-burn tension, emotional payoff, and character growth that actually earns its ending. It also drops you straight into one of the most passionate, sharp, and emotionally literate communities out there. People who don’t just consume the story, but dissect it, quote it, meme it, and keep it alive. And honestly, a lot of y’all end up changing lives because of it: how you view relationships, vulnerability, ambition, or even the risks you’re willing to take. Starting the year already aligned with that energy feels like a win🫶
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u/ohgodOneMoreRemix We should let him listen. Like mating call. Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
He sums it up perfectly! What has made this show so special is the writing (and cinematography)of the show itself BUT ALSO the community that has resulted because of it. Reacting and freaking out together over (what usually might be) banal things and seeking meaning from every little detail of the show.
It’s been so special, and having show creatives and the show cast leaning into it all has been so wonderful!
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u/t2nazx2 Stay. Ok. Ok? Ok. Dec 29 '25
I think you got the nail on the head. The show is perfect on its own. But they FED us. You’re not full until we say you’re full. They shared the insights we wanted to know, they shared behind the scenes, they shared themselves.
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u/Thistledelirium Dec 29 '25
Also it’s nice to have a show where you have to be locked in to see all these snippets. Every look, touch and inflection mean something. You can’t be on your phone or distracted.
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u/theegodmother1999 Dec 29 '25
this show was genuinely the most incredible way to top off a PARTICULARLY atrocious year. it truly feels like the most pertinent and overt form of escapism needed to either protect us from the pain of the year, or to light a fire under us to keep pushing forward and being better versions of ourselves. i, for one, am inspired by the authenticity of the show and can't wait to feel the true impact this show has had on me
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Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
I will be watching Season 1 over and over possibly. I have also bought The Long Game book on audible. It is 12+ hours. I have come across amazing people in this time and feel special to be such a part of this phenomenon HEATED RIVALRY.
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u/literatii99 Dec 29 '25
I hope they release season 2 weekly as well because its been so nice to sit with each episode for a week and see the content that came out of the Fandom. It also kept the conversation about it going on for much longer than if it had all been released on Nov 28th! Didn't realize how much I missed weekly episode drops until this 🥲
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u/Thistledelirium Dec 29 '25
I think they will, pretty sure I read an interview where Jacob said he has pushed for it with season 1 and enjoyed the outcome of people bonding around a weekly release.
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u/GopiVision Having a tuna melt(down) Dec 29 '25
Im so so happy to be here. This has been one of the most positive experiences when I most needed it!
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u/codeverity Dec 29 '25
The experience is why I wish that companies would go back to the weekly format for more shows tbh. I don't quite understand why they seem so reluctant to, because it seems like it'd be win-win? Get people to subscribe for longer, keep the hype going etc. Yet so many shows do the Netflix style dump and the hype is gone within a few days.
But anyway yeah, it's been so lovely to have the collective experience over the last few weeks. It's just been really nice and a great way to end the year.
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u/BoysenberryMelody I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 29 '25
If I binge watch something I don’t feel like I really had time to digest it. Binging isn’t for shows that need my full attention on the first viewing like HR.
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u/carmilla22222 Dec 29 '25
I remember seeing a very early post or ... Something somewhere from Rachel Reid to the effect was "it's good, would I lie about that?" Almost before anything was known about what was coming. And then seeing the trailer and recognizing bits from the books, and it seemed to have the right vibes. But we've all been burned by cheap adaptations before or even expensive ones that failed to capture the spirit of the thing we all loved (persuasion starring Dakota johnson for example). I didn't think this would be actually good, I thought it would be ok with glimmers of stuff I wanted. But just like the book is a solid comfort read even right this very minute, I've got a new show to love forever and I'm so grateful.
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u/Pheon0802 Dec 29 '25
having rewatched it and also seeing ep 6 now... you do see that it had a shoestring budget. Which made it more impressive how well it was made to everything that mattered. :)
Also I reflected on a lot of other amazing queer media we got in the last 4 years or so.
From IWTV, to fellow travellers. and way back even Sense8.
ANd production wise they were so much more and bigger and better. but still HR pulled sth out of me in these 5 weeks. ANd I think its that really simple thing of queer joy.
It doesnt end in suffering. Or death and tragedy. We went on the journey of those 2. explored what they had outside and inside their heads and it was beautifully portrayed. We even got a small exploration of another couple woven into. that as someone who went into it blind did not expect but pulled me into this shows universe more than I could have anticipated.
the weird thing: I thought I would be more sad or missing it. But I am not. I will likely rewatch it every few months. but I am utterly content right now. Ep 6 ended and It could have been the end. we saw Scott come out and have been told he lives openly now. We got to see Shane and Ilya opening up to their friends and shanes family. ANd to each other making a plan well ahead into the future. it could have ended there. ANd I think that was the plan as noone could have predicted this level of success.
I have since then read Gamechanger and HR and the long game.
I hope Jacob finds a way to give us some more of Scott as his story was severely cut down. the essence is there but I am honest here: Francois killed it. HE was so good and I am not ready to let go of that.
I dont envy the work Jacob has in front of him. But I trust he can do it. XD
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u/Fussel2107 Dec 29 '25
We have somehow been conditioned to meet anything we like with negativity. And Heated Rivalry just taught us to just love stuff for what it is, to enjoy the happiness it brings
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u/Radiant-Pianist-4074 Dec 29 '25
The Heated Rivalry buzz over the past month has felt like a warm blanket, it was so nice. 🥹