I am so glad i waited to watch Heated Rivalry till after Stranger Things ended. And I know they really aren't comparable but I just wanna put my thoughts out there.
I was so upset about how Stranger Things ended. I knew none of my ships would happen, but I felt like I had been spit on. The absolute disinterest the Duffers had for the last season carried through and I was just so upset.
Compare that to this show with a miniscule budget that understands its audience. The cast, crew, and director love this story and it is palpable. The love and care for each moment. This is a show that took risks. If it hadn't, we wouldn't be enamored with it like we are. Forget about the sexual scenes even (tho they are integral to the plot). The cinematography, the lighting, costumes, dialog, music, the subject matter, etc.
Jacob Tierney cares about Ilya and Shane, characters he didnt even create, more than the Duffers care about the characters and story they created and I think that says a lot.