Heated Rivalry Ep. 6 part 2
Those cute little "good morning," "I like you's." Adorable.
Then we get Shane and Ilya's competitive hockey video game back and forth. Ilya is pointing out he's on the cover of the game (hilarious). I will just point out that if someone were to make a version of a hockey game with the heated rivalry players, I am sure there would be a market. Maybe someone can combine it with an otome-style dating sim. Whose to say?
The notorious call with Hayden and the full sex scene to accompany it were iconic. With Ilya's little hand crawls and head tilts. Of all the scenes at the cottage, I never imagined we would get this one, but they really did a great job with it. It's important for Shane to let Ilya know their relationship is more than their rivalry or the fact that Ilya is a bit of a rake. Shane loves Ilya for the russian goof he is.
Let me tell you, the series of "How can Ilya get rid of his Russian passport?" conversations is so well done. Their competitive little soccer chat 10/10. The subsequent Svetlana can marry me with a very, very jealous Shane on the verge of crying (give me a dozen). Their feet are touching at the center of the couch, and it's a really great callback to their interview. We also get Ilya admitting his terrible problem, being desperately in love with Shane and his beautiful freckles (great job to the freckles expert on the crew).
Shane being awake all night and waking up Ilya to tell him the great Ottawa, start a charity, retire, and become lovers plan is so him. He really is going full Yuna on Ilya's career as a way of demonstrating his deep love. Of course, Shane is also admitting he sees a long future with Ilya. It's basically a marriage proposal. Ilya has to look away and cry, he is so touched before he says he loves Shane in Russian twice and English once *cheers*. They finally admit they love eachother but not before Shane gives Ilya enough time to panic that he might get a repeat of first name gate.
I loved the addition of Shane bringing Ilya a blanket and coffee so they can watch the sunrise together on the lake. I LOVE that they have the space to fall in love. So, when Shane asks to name the hockey charity after Ilya's mother and donate the money to mental health organizations, Ilya is just about ready to trade anything for a life with someone his mother would have loved *sobs*.
Although there is no dock, we do get goofy Ilya in the water splashing Shane. Ilya says, "Give me a kiss," (Are you kidding me?) *screams into the void of their love*. Then they walk back to the house, kiss... and get caught by David. This time, he was looking for a charger, not dishwasher pods, but the energy is still the same. Ilya goes into premium protect mode, reassuring his panicking boyfriend and trying to tether him to the fact that his parents will still love him. This may be Shane's nightmare, but he has Ilya to help him. Refrencing how joy overcomes fear, a primary theme of Reid's Game Changers series and the Heated Rivalry show, Shane admits his fears, and Ilya tells him he is brave. He reassures Shane that he can handle this conversation. Ilya will be right there by his side, in a Boston Raiders shirt (hilarious in both the book and the show).
Ilya holds and kisses Shane's hand on the way over and only gives him a look when Shane suggests he stay behind (amazing bit of acting from them both).
Shane's coming-out scene is simply perfect. Shane and Ilya come into the house with Ilya on his best behavior. His stance mimics the same posture he holds when he talks to his father, contained, stoic, and waiting for a cue to indicate he should interject. Shane is so tense trying to tell his parents he is gay and with Ilya. Connor's "Lovers" delivery is somehow better than I could have ever imagined. Yuna and David are so curious and reassuring; it's heartwarming. Ilya asks them to use his first name because he wants to be closer to them. David, with all his emotional intellegence picked up on their chemistry at the All-Star Game. The "Lovers" repeat from Yuna and Shane's immediate ban on the word. Then David had good Russian vodka for Ilya (the man that you are). Ilya comes out as bisexual and admits that he's only ever been in love with one person accompined by their reassuring foot tap from their press conference.
The added conversation between Shane and Yuna, where he apologizes because he tried so hard to be something different, was devastating. She immediately apologizes and lets him know that he is perfect, she loves him, is proud of him, and she will help them do everything they need to do to be happy together. If this scene doesn't make people cry, nothing will. Beautiful performances from Hudson Williams and Christina Chang.
The follow-up dinner, where Ilya admits he will leave Boston for Shane, is great. Yuna may be offended at his lack of hockey loyalty, but Ilya clearly loves their son and the Hollander's home cooking (which will be important when he becomes their other son). Ilya immediately locks into Shane's moment of panic, reassuring him that everyone who loves him is there and Shane is going to be ok. Shane's parents promise to bring dinner and Shane and Ilya driving off into the sunset finishes the show. While this ends a few scenes sooner than the book, after sleeping on it, I think it was a perfect place to end the show. The credits roll as Shane and Ilya drive back to the cottage together, with hope and a plan. Everyone who worked on the show is highlighted in the credits, we get a bit longer without lover boys, and the season ends with the promise of a happy life together.
I think I can speak for many fans when I say this was a beautiful first season. While I am looking forward to season 2, I implore Jacob and his team to take as much time as they need to make the show they want to make. I would rather wait 25 months for the right season.
Fans have a chance to read or re-read Rachel Reid's 6-book Game Changers series and two standalone novels. While the stand-alones are not part of the show universe, they are great, and you should read them. They should all be back in stock, too. I also think the official merch made by Reid herself is so very good. If you have extra time, don't forget to check out Reid's website for fun extra scenes from the Game Changers series.
With that, my extensive review of episode 6 comes to a close. Thank you, and I will see you all in Ottawa.
Continued in Ep. 6 Part 1
