the whole scene in ep 1 where shane meets with his parents is such a good set up for the series in so many ways.
"We don't care. It's just that you're usually on time." instantly characterising shane, hinting at his autism. Also noting that he is acting out of character, for something to mess up his time management like that, is pretty big.
"I got lost in a youtube rabbit hole." not a lie, if not elaborating.
"Shane is exactly the kind of athlete and young man that Rolex wants to be associated with." instantly, Shane is boxed into being a role model, of presenting the best image of himself to the public. this along with comments in other scenes that refer to him representing the model minority, is an instant pressure that he is aware he needs to maintain.
"What was your [rabbit hole] about?" "Unlikely animals becoming friends. Like a tiger and a bear, a cow and a duck." Technically a lie for Shane- again, unusual for him-, but metaphorically, this represents so much about him and Ilya. Of course there's the rivalry, no-one expects rivals to become close like that, but it's not just that. The differences in their personalities, in their backgrounds, in their culture, in their life experience. No-one expects it, and yet somehow, it works. And it's addicting.
"I'd watch that." "What you should be watching are the ones about hockey." This further represents the push and pull in Shane's brain between thinking about Ilya, and making sure to focus on hockey. You can get lost down this rabbit hole all you like, but you need to come back to reality. You need to keep your mind on hockey and not let yourself get too distracted. And these thoughts, this unexpected relationship, is making that difficult.
Throughout this entire scene, we see David switching the conversation from hockey, while Yuna always switches it back. Now obviously Shane loves hockey, but it's interesting noting that this conversation is always set by Yuna. David saying he'd watch that, then saying "I think watching that snake and baby sounds pretty important" opens that door for Shane to be more than hockey, potentially suggesting that David is the way for Shane to be more. The way Yuna frames this conversation, on the other hand, is what sets up the difficulties of not just coming out, but of telling his parents about his relationship with his arch rival.
Linking this scene to ep6, where it is David that discovers Shane with Ilya, it makes David actually the link between Shane being able to be both gay + a hockey player. The window for Shane to be able to come out, to cross that line between his relationship with Ilya, and his relationship with his mum and hockey. It also is why it is SO important when Yuna says "I'm sorry I made you feel like you couldn't tell me." Because she never wanted to not be a safe space, she never meant to categorise him into keeping up his hockey image, but that is what happened. And it's very important for both Shane and Yuna that that is directly addressed, so he can fully be himself with her.
"Relationship could go sideways pretty fast." Again, calling back to the risk that Shane is taking in pursuing this relationship with Ilya. And also linking that with the previous line about how David said he'd want to watch that video, kind of represents how everyone is watching.
"Oh, I saw a link today about Ilya Rozanov." While Shane was kind of thinking about Ilya anyway, the direct addressing of his name instantly makes his face fall. It brings him back to reality, facing the fact that Ilya is not just an unexpected connection, but someone that his parents and everyone around him already knows, and someone he is meant to hate. "Yeah, he's an asshole." The go-to response.
"Yeah, fuck him... Fuck him. Right up the butt." The little smile hehe we see you Shane. Yes. He's happy to do that one.
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