Connor Storrie's performance in this show is astounding!
His accent is really fucking good.
The way he plays Ilya is perfect. He has this brash cockiness mixed with this wicked dry humor. He's funny as fuck! But he is also a deeply emotional guy. Straight from the pages of the book.
The level of tenderness that he demonstrates when he is in a scene with Hudson/Shane is really breathtaking. He's so gentle and yet entirely dominant over Shane.
I can see the pain in his eyes any time his life in Russia comes up. As someone who has read the books, I know what's coming. And oh boy is Connor nailing this story line. And by the end of episode 2, we can see how his home life is beginning to affect his relationship with Shane.
Unlike in the book, where I didn't personally think the shift from casual fuck buddies to loving relationship happened until later (you fellow book readers know what I am referring to) I think the way Jacob Tierney wrote and directed this show indicates that at least one of these two men understand that this is a very serious relationship by the end of the second episode. For me, the "was it worth the wait?" plus the soft kiss after their first time, plus the fact that he refused to fuck the coaches son again while in Russia plus the bathroom scene. Some of this stuff isn't in the book (I don't think the kiss nor the coaches son appear in HR? I could be wrong tho) but it helps drive the point that Ilya knows that his relationship with Shane is special. Shane isn't just a good fuck. He's something more. And it's all because of the way Connor chooses to act these scenes out. It's special.
And I said this early this morning, but Hudson's naïvete is incredibly compelling, particularly in episode 2. The reason I don't think that's this version of Shane is as aware as this version of Ilya is because, like in the book, this is Shane's first sexual relationship with a man. It's all so new. He obviously has a deep connection with Ilya, but I think that it's hard for him to discern his emotions regarding his sexuality from his emotions with respect to Ilya. Maybe this feels so good not necessarily because it's Ilya, but because he's a man.
Does this make sense? I don't think the way I wrote it makes sense. I just think that Shane has an extra hurdle to overcome regarding his sexuality which is not an obstacle for Ilya. Shane is constantly racking his brain trying to figure out what their relationship is. Overthinking everything that Ilya says and does.
This is why Hudson got the part. I don't think he's actually doing that much acting. He's just a very curious guy. He wants to experience anything and everything. And very very youthful, which is perfect for this role. He's definitely not acting as much as Connor. But when he does turn the knob up he displays so much emotion. Shane is a very emotional guy. It's written all over his face. And Huddy is doing so good at showing me that! The tearful puppy dog eyes get me EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!
It's so well done. Brava to both of them!
