Heated Rivalry 1x5 highest rated tv episode of 2025 and second highest of all time

[FFXIV WhiteMage 6,041]

12 minutes ago, Marilyn MonHoe said:

This is honestly been the most surprising thing for me that the show has brought about. This would’ve literally never happened 10 years ago and now we have straight men going “Yes the sex between these two gay guys is hot af!” 
 

I’ve watched these straight guy sports podcasts reviewing the show and they are giving better insight and dialogue about this gay romance than I’ve seen from actual queer people. I was shooketh 

and this is only possible with GREAT ACTORS and PRODUCTION team! we should value quality and competence again <3 

I've seen a lot of shows where people have barely any shadow nor color grading  they look like uninspired  cartoon characters

Edited December 23, 2025 by FFXIV WhiteMage

[Marilyn MonHoe 10,852]

5 minutes ago, Bronco said:

Honestly, just because I play sport and am around that type of straight dude it is less surprising to me. I'm just glad other queer people, especially any with trauma, are seeing this side of sports bros.

The bit that's surprised me is that its not small time podcasters doing it for clicks - they are big/very popular already within their sport. And I hope any gay/bi/queer men playing in the NHL are seeing this - like I don't think the show itself would make them come out. But I do think seeing how the NHL fandom is adopting the show may help any closeted players at the very least be closer to opening up to their team mates - especially after the bullshit the league itself has been getting up to. 

I learned that the NHL is the only sport that has no active openly gay players and I was so shocked. Also that there was a player that had booked a conference and media outlets to announce something but then cancelled everything at the last minute? Like what? Hopefully this show encourages some closeted hockey players to come out and if not then well I hope at least they get some solace and comfort from this amazing show 

[Marilyn MonHoe 10,852]

7 minutes ago, FFXIV WhiteMage said:

and this is only possible with GREAT ACTORS and PRODUCTION team! we should value quality and competence again <3 

I've seen a lot of shows where people have barely any shadow nor color grading  they look like uninspired  cartoon characters

Everything looks so good! Jacob Tierny was truly a godsend for this show being able to beautifully coordinate the show's pacing and aesthetic. This show deserves some awards!

Also Connor is truly the standout from the show to me. Hudson is a phenomenal actor but Connor truly takes it to the next level with his believable Russian accent and use of the Russian language. When I saw him being interviewed I was like “Wait he’s not actually Russian??? He literally looks ethnically Russian to me!?” So crazy that he was able to pull off this performance. He deserves some awards as well 

[Bronco 15,088]

7 minutes ago, Marilyn MonHoe said:

I learned that the NHL is the only sport that has no active openly gay players and I was so shocked. Also that there was a player that had booked a conference and media outlets to announce something but then cancelled everything at the last minute? Like what? Hopefully this show encourages some closeted hockey players to come out and if not then well I hope at least they get some solace and comfort from this amazing show 

I think it may also be the only sport that's never had a male player come out *while* playing.

Its why I hope the biggest thing that is maintained after this show is the space we take up in the hockey world. Like its great seeing women & queer people take new interest in the sport and take up space - I hope the parasocial weirdos **** off but otherwise, it's really important that they don't back off. Taking up space is the only way the space improves.  

[Bronco 15,088]

4 minutes ago, Marilyn MonHoe said:

Also Connor is truly the standout from the show to me. Hudson is a phenomenal actor but Connor truly takes it to the next level with his believable Russian accent and use of the Russian language. When I saw him being interviewed I was like “Wait he’s not actually Russian??? He literally looks ethnically Russian to me!?” So crazy that he was able to pull off this performance. He deserves some awards as well 

It's the way that there's like a major difference between how Ilya and Connor look and act. Hudson you can recognise as Shane even if Hudson is Shane's worst nightmare lol 
Connor completely changes the way he emotes and holds himself, he's destined for bigger and better. 

Also Francois is an amazing actor as well. The scene where he comes home from training and Kit is there for the first time was beautiful, the way his entire body lights up in the moment is perfection. 

[Marilyn MonHoe 10,852]

3 hours ago, Bronco said:

It's the way that there's like a major difference between how Ilya and Connor look and act. Hudson you can recognise as Shane even if Hudson is Shane's worst nightmare lol 
Connor completely changes the way he emotes and holds himself, he's destined for bigger and better. 

Also Francois is an amazing actor as well. The scene where he comes home from training and Kit is there for the first time was beautiful, the way his entire body lights up in the moment is perfection. 

1000%. With Shane I can still see Hudson peaking through but with Connor he does a complete transformation into Ilya! So so so good.

I’ve never seen Francois before but I’m gonna need to see more from him in this series. I actually think he’s the hottest guy in the show lol

[Bronco 15,088]

6 hours ago, Marilyn MonHoe said:

I’ve never seen Francois before but I’m gonna need to see more from him in this series. I actually think he’s the hottest guy in the show lol

It still amazes me François is 40 lol

He was great in the Borgias and also turns up as one of David's ex boyfriends in Schitts Creek.

[Squidward T 2,290]

Rightfully deserved, it’s such a good show. Passionate and deep 

[NUTELLA 15,603]

21 minutes ago, Bronco said:

also turns up as one of David's ex boyfriends in Schitts Creek

THANK YOU, I knew he looked familiar!

"Why don't you stand over there... further into the field..."

[Bronco 15,088]

1 hour ago, NUTELLA said:

THANK YOU, I knew he looked familiar!

"Why don't you stand over there... further into the field..."

He was so hot as that douchebag