Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can look at Google Trends. The hype is already wearing off. It always does.

The lead actors will get lots of opportunities - will take a bit to see if they can translate their skills to other projects and to A list fame and fortune. I think Connor Storrie can. His acting was phenomenal.

Both actors played roles very different from their natural personalities so that might help them not get type cast as much. They did an excellent job in the show.

I agree, they did an excellent job. I cannot believe how different Connor sounded and even looked on the show compared to irl. I haven’t seen such a thorough transformation into character since the peak years of Christian Bale.

My adult daughter was telling me last night how jealous all the actors in Hollywood must be of the wall these two broke through. Their chemistry is off the charts beautiful and believable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can look at Google Trends. The hype is already wearing off. It always does.

The lead actors will get lots of opportunities - will take a bit to see if they can translate their skills to other projects and to A list fame and fortune. I think Connor Storrie can. His acting was phenomenal.

Both actors played roles very different from their natural personalities so that might help them not get type cast as much. They did an excellent job in the show.

I agree, they did an excellent job. I cannot believe how different Connor sounded and even looked on the show compared to irl. I haven’t seen such a thorough transformation into character since the peak years of Christian Bale.

My adult daughter was telling me last night how jealous all the actors in Hollywood must be of the wall these two broke through. Their chemistry is off the charts beautiful and believable.

The timing was perfect as the world has been a very heavy place the last while and I think this simple, positive, lighthearted, love story with sports and sex gave many people something uplifting to talk about and to distract them from the news headlines. It is a sign of progress as a global society as a whole that a queer romance was allowed to be that thing. The success of the show was a combination of the acting, the directing, the lighting, the cinematography / LED screen use etc. There was just not a weak link.

Having two fresh faced leads who are somewhat exhibitionists in real life really helped as often it is hard for actors to go all in mentally and physically in sex scenes as they are thinking about themselves and the comfort of their sex scene partner - but these two seem to have few boundaries in real life between themselves and have a very high degree of comfort with their bodies and nudity! I think that freedom will be gone in future shows now that they are known entities with agents and professional reputations, and the rabid fan base, and everything else that comes with fame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can look at Google Trends. The hype is already wearing off. It always does.

The lead actors will get lots of opportunities - will take a bit to see if they can translate their skills to other projects and to A list fame and fortune. I think Connor Storrie can. His acting was phenomenal.

Both actors played roles very different from their natural personalities so that might help them not get type cast as much. They did an excellent job in the show.

I agree, they did an excellent job. I cannot believe how different Connor sounded and even looked on the show compared to irl. I haven’t seen such a thorough transformation into character since the peak years of Christian Bale.

My adult daughter was telling me last night how jealous all the actors in Hollywood must be of the wall these two broke through. Their chemistry is off the charts beautiful and believable.

Connor is gorgeous and an amazing talent! He took a character from a fairly boring book, imo, and turned him into a sizzling lover boy people all over the world are losing their minds over. Ilya Rozanov is my favorite fictional character of all of 2025, and I read and watch a ton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

No women are grabbing anyone. WTF are you even talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

What’s wrong is that these women aren’t getting what they need at home. Women need to speak up and tell their partners what they need! If they can’t talk about it, have their partner watch the show and learn what they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

What’s wrong is that these women aren’t getting what they need at home. Women need to speak up and tell their partners what they need! If they can’t talk about it, have their partner watch the show and learn what they want.

I mean that is like men showing their wives porn to let them know what they want and need at home. Men aren't women and women aren't men. Harlequin romances are made for women with all the characters acting in ways women want and porn is made for men with all the characters acting in ways that men want - neither are realistic or real life. Wanting your husband to be like a Harlequin romance novel character is like wanting your wife to be like a porn star.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

No women are grabbing anyone. WTF are you even talking about?

There was a video of a mob of women trying to get to them, being held back by security guards who had to link arms and push back against the crush and the women were trying to reach around the security and grab the guys. It was chaos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

No women are grabbing anyone. WTF are you even talking about?

There was a video of a mob of women trying to get to them, being held back by security guards who had to link arms and push back against the crush and the women were trying to reach around the security and grab the guys. It was chaos.

You can't extrapolate from the behavior of a one mob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

No women are grabbing anyone. WTF are you even talking about?

There was a video of a mob of women trying to get to them, being held back by security guards who had to link arms and push back against the crush and the women were trying to reach around the security and grab the guys. It was chaos.

You can't extrapolate from the behavior of a one mob.

Can't extrapolate what? The internet is filled with women fantasizing about these guys, sexualizing them, watching sex scenes repeatedly and posting clips, and commenting on their bodies.

And there were just crowds in Italy screaming and crying and yelling at them. I have that in a few places and videos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

Hey, remember in November when that guy grabbed Ariana Grande on the red carpet? Or in October when that guy grabbed Billie Eilish at her concert?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

Hey, remember in November when that guy grabbed Ariana Grande on the red carpet? Or in October when that guy grabbed Billie Eilish at her concert?

And the reaction was that those action was okay and permissable? Or did women speak out against them?
You think it is a good thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

Hey, remember in November when that guy grabbed Ariana Grande on the red carpet? Or in October when that guy grabbed Billie Eilish at her concert?

And the reaction was that those action was okay and permissable? Or did women speak out against them?
You think it is a good thing?

You asked a question and I answered. If you’d like to draw comparisons, feel free. But that is the answer to your question. Yes, it happens. With and without backlash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with all these middle aged women hanging over fences, needing to be pushed back by security while screaming the actors names, crying etc.

I can't imagine the public backlash if middle aged men were out in public, screaming, crying, and reaching and trying to grab at some 20 something year old women.

I think it is embarrassing for women of any age (beyond adolescence) but for middle aged women - get it together.

Sucks to be on the other side of a double standard, isn't it? Women have been dealing with that since the beginning of time so suck it up, buttercup.

Just shows that men and women are all the same. People talk as though women are somehow more evolved but then they act like this and you realize, they are the same as the lecherous men grabbing at young women's bodies. Don't think it is a good look on anyone.

Where do you see men engaging in this behavior in current times? I can't imagine that happening now a days without a lot of backlash. Hopefully soon that backlash will extend to women as well.

Hey, remember in November when that guy grabbed Ariana Grande on the red carpet? Or in October when that guy grabbed Billie Eilish at her concert?

And the reaction was that those action was okay and permissable? Or did women speak out against them?
You think it is a good thing?

You asked a question and I answered. If you’d like to draw comparisons, feel free. But that is the answer to your question. Yes, it happens. With and without backlash.

The Ariana guy was arrested and the Billie guy was dragged out of the crowd so it doesn't seem like anything thought it was accepted and there was immediate backlash in both settings. Definitely wasn't acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Episode 1. That first kiss, damn. I rewound it about a dozen times. One of the best TV kisses, no debate. If someone kissed me like this (a first kiss at that), we would be married shortly after. just sayin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Episode 1. That first kiss, damn. I rewound it about a dozen times. One of the best TV kisses, no debate. If someone kissed me like this (a first kiss at that), we would be married shortly after. just sayin

I definitely did a lot of rewinding for this series. Ilya’s phone call monologue, Shane tearing up and telling him not to marry Svetlana, Ilya whispering “More” in that first gym scene…so many beautiful, subtle moments. There are very specific scenes from the next book I can’t wait to see play out in season 2.