Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:55
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
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.
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.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:45
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?
FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)
Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.
To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.
One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.
Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.
It's not a global streaming phenomenon because it's deep or particularly high quality. It's a show with good acting (not great dialogue for most of it) that was well done and deserves some praise. It's not more than that. To compare it to an earlier comment, it's not The Wire. It's not making it on any top 10 lists other than popularity right now until the next big thing comes along.
I don’t get the need to say it’s not the Wire? So it’s not the best show tv has ever produced? So what?
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:41
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:People in Canada are going nuts for this show. Canadian NHL teams have started selling team jerseys with the characters' names on them.[/quote
I saw that! They are selling them for the same price as an actual hockey jersey with a players name ($250). Craziness.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:33
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
People in Canada are going nuts for this show. Canadian NHL teams have started selling team jerseys with the characters' names on them.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:32
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?
FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)
Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.
To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.
One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.
Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.
He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.
They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.
I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.
+1000
He is very much in tune with his parents' emotions (when they're discussing Wimbledon or something at the restaurant), he makes direct eye contact with just about everyone, etc. He is not autistic. He's a bit OCD and has anxiety, but those aren't the same things.
It is unfortunate that any nervousness, social awkwardness, not being a strong verbal communicator is being interpreted as autism. Being awkward and anxious are normal human states! A lot of people manage anxiety with routines. People saying he has autism definitely haven't read the DSM or looked at actual diagnostic criteria. He appears to have no difficulty functioning on a team (appointed captain), independently, in social settings, in relationships etc. What support does he need to manage life?
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:28
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
I think it has gotten popular because
1) People wanted a simple positive light hearted non political thing to enjoy and talk about. A Harlequin romance style love story (they always end well), no gender politics, no pandering, plus it had sports and sex to broaden the appeal.
2) Things go viral for random reasons
3) There is no aspect of it that was poorly done. The acting, directing, lighting, etc. It all was done in a way that nothing took you out of the scene. So the story flowed well. It is easy to watch.
4) The two lead actors acted very 'real' and less like actors - eating real food on camera, rewearing clothes, keeping in some non scripted laughter. And this was two theatre kids having fun together so they seemed to play off each other on screen like they would in real life too
1) People wanted a simple positive light hearted non political thing to enjoy and talk about. A Harlequin romance style love story (they always end well), no gender politics, no pandering, plus it had sports and sex to broaden the appeal.
2) Things go viral for random reasons
3) There is no aspect of it that was poorly done. The acting, directing, lighting, etc. It all was done in a way that nothing took you out of the scene. So the story flowed well. It is easy to watch.
4) The two lead actors acted very 'real' and less like actors - eating real food on camera, rewearing clothes, keeping in some non scripted laughter. And this was two theatre kids having fun together so they seemed to play off each other on screen like they would in real life too
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:20
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?
FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)
Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.
To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.
One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.
Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.
He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.
They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.
I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.
+1000
He is very much in tune with his parents' emotions (when they're discussing Wimbledon or something at the restaurant), he makes direct eye contact with just about everyone, etc. He is not autistic. He's a bit OCD and has anxiety, but those aren't the same things.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 17:19
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?
FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)
Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.
To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.
One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.
Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.
It's not a global streaming phenomenon because it's deep or particularly high quality. It's a show with good acting (not great dialogue for most of it) that was well done and deserves some praise. It's not more than that. To compare it to an earlier comment, it's not The Wire. It's not making it on any top 10 lists other than popularity right now until the next big thing comes along.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 16:42
Subject: Re:Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
"cottage"
Anonymous
01/27/2026 14:55
Subject: Re:Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The unbelievable acting and chemistry makes this show/story/love so addictive. I am re-watching it as we speak.
They have great chemistry indeed. They touch and kiss each other so sensually. I don't think I have ever seen kisses this beautiful and passionate in ANY show or film.
Yes! Their intimacy and all the touches - big and small - make the show. They’re so sensual and tactile that it’s ruined other onscreen couples for me (I am straight by the way).
Has it ruined your real life relationship as well?
No, though I do occasionally wake up with sadness in my heart because I am never going to be a hot, fit, young, millionaire Canadian hockey player in love with an even hotter, fitter Russian hockey player, relaxing at my gorgeous lakeside cottage and....multiple times a day.
I have a cottage very near to the fictional location of Shane's cottage. It unfortunately seems lacking now! It is cottage country but isn't a common area for professional athletes but I guess they set it there to make it close to Ottawa.
There is an area in Ontario called Muskoka were many NHL players have cottages. It is the wealthy cottage area. I have been to friend's cottages in that area and did see a couple hockey players. There are enough of them in the area that they do an off season summer hockey training program there that often has 25 ish NHLers present.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 14:38
Subject: Re:Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The unbelievable acting and chemistry makes this show/story/love so addictive. I am re-watching it as we speak.
They have great chemistry indeed. They touch and kiss each other so sensually. I don't think I have ever seen kisses this beautiful and passionate in ANY show or film.
Yes! Their intimacy and all the touches - big and small - make the show. They’re so sensual and tactile that it’s ruined other onscreen couples for me (I am straight by the way).
Has it ruined your real life relationship as well?
No, though I do occasionally wake up with sadness in my heart because I am never going to be a hot, fit, young, millionaire Canadian hockey player in love with an even hotter, fitter Russian hockey player, relaxing at my gorgeous lakeside cottage and....multiple times a day.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 14:31
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a trivia tidbit. The actor who was the figure skating for the scene where Shane and his hosckey teammares watch the figure skating at the 2014 Olympics is a Canadian figure skater who won a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c50wVojJ3rI
He also breaks the sterotype of a male figure skater - not gay, and quite rugged.
Anotehr tidbit - Most of the actual hockey players were students from the University of Guelph - they put out a call for students who wanted to be extras in the show.
That skater, Dylan Moscovitch, is a pairs skater. The gay stereotype applies to male singles skaters, not pairs skaters. It’s funny how they made Dylan appear to be a singles skater when he wasn’t.
He does acting roles so he wasn't playing himself - they just needed to hire a figure skater who could do a few little jumps and his agent asked him if he was interested. The character was a singles skater, not Dylan.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 14:28
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
One thing the response to this show and to these actors has shown is that middle aged women are just as happy objectifying the bodies of young men in their 20s as men do women. The amount of comments about what women want to do to them and how horny the two actors make them...
Anonymous
01/27/2026 14:26
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a trivia tidbit. The actor who was the figure skating for the scene where Shane and his hosckey teammares watch the figure skating at the 2014 Olympics is a Canadian figure skater who won a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c50wVojJ3rI
He also breaks the sterotype of a male figure skater - not gay, and quite rugged.
Anotehr tidbit - Most of the actual hockey players were students from the University of Guelph - they put out a call for students who wanted to be extras in the show.
That skater, Dylan Moscovitch, is a pairs skater. The gay stereotype applies to male singles skaters, not pairs skaters. It’s funny how they made Dylan appear to be a singles skater when he wasn’t.
+1. Pairs skating is the discipline where men will lift and throw women, so they are typically rugged.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 14:24
Subject: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO-Max)
Anonymous wrote:As a trivia tidbit. The actor who was the figure skating for the scene where Shane and his hosckey teammares watch the figure skating at the 2014 Olympics is a Canadian figure skater who won a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c50wVojJ3rI
He also breaks the sterotype of a male figure skater - not gay, and quite rugged.
Anotehr tidbit - Most of the actual hockey players were students from the University of Guelph - they put out a call for students who wanted to be extras in the show.
That skater, Dylan Moscovitch, is a pairs skater. The gay stereotype applies to male singles skaters, not pairs skaters. It’s funny how they made Dylan appear to be a singles skater when he wasn’t.