Heated Rivalry is Important, Here's Why

If you have spent any time on the internet, especially in the book community, in the last five weeks (or longer) you have probably run into posts about Heated Rivalry. A queer, hockey romance TV series from Canada that has dug its way into the hearts and souls of pretty much everyone who is open to it. Heated Rivalry follows two hockey stars from before their career until about ten years in, as they fight in the stats of the league, but also against their feelings their having for each other.

As an avid NHL hockey watcher, this show still feels like a far future for the league, but something that, hopefully, will be in the future. Also, the book itself is written with a lot of understanding of the sport and the current league, which definitely helps. The show now gives faces to the names of the characters, playing out their trials on and off the ice before tons of people each week. One of the other things the show has done is shown members of the queer community they are not alone, showing scenes that hit close to home to many.

In this post, I'm hoping to share how this show has been a positive experience for one of my friends, who has seen himself within the story and felt a deep connection with a lot of the characters. It felt right to have him share his opinion and experience, showing why stories like this are important in our society. Thank you Kohner for letting me share your story with all of the readers of this blog, and helping show the world why stories are important. All thoughts below are his experiences and opinions, some spoilers ahead if you aren't caught up on the show or have read the books. Thank you all for reading.

Kohner:

There are so many emotions that I have associated with Heated Rivalry, that I honestly do not know where to start. First off, I think that this show has done an amazing job at taking the weight of being one of the first series of its kind. Throughout this first season you can tell that they have found the delicate balance of juggling their two different fan bases, those who are watching for the spicy side of the story and those who are watching because they connect to the feelings/experiences of the main characters. I would have to say that I personally fall under that second category, being a gay male who had to remain closeted for his entire young adult life.

Starting this season, I was going in blind because I had never read the book series itself. But I kept hearing about hot guys doing this, hot guys doing that, so I obviously had to watch it. Because let's face it, I can't turn down a hot and heavy TV show. But I didn't expect to connect with the story as much as I did. Right off bat, I was thrown back into feeling what I felt when I would see a guy I liked back in high school, leading to the fear and confusion that was associated with the feeling. Throughout the first episode, this is all I could think about. I could see all of those same questions I used to have popping up in both Shane and Ilya's face. What is this feeling? I shouldn't feel this way right? Does he like men too? The classic questions that I'm sure any member of the LGBTQ+ community has had at some point.

After this, the show started taking a deeper personal meaning for me. I appreciate how the show has emphasized common struggles that can impact anyone in the audience. This includes life issues such as being dealt with a bad family life, having to live up to the standards of the public etc. Additionally, it also hones in on social issues that are present throughout the LGBTQ+ community such has the danger of being gay in Russia and other parts of the world, having to be your true self behind closed doors, etc.

I really appreciate how Episode 3 includes a character who is happily out falling for a character who has to remain in the closet. I think that how they represented these separate scenarios was perfect. A great reminder that everyone is at different stages of their sexuality discovery, rather that's within the straight or the LGBTQ+ community, and that its important to recognize this. The only complaint I would express is that I wish that they would've went a little deeper into the argument that Scott and Kip encountered. While I know we all get the reasoning behind it, I think understanding how they went about the whole scenario would've been nice to see. And lets not forget the amazing dad figure that Kip has. I think I can speak for a lot of LGBTQ+ members who do not necessarily have the most supportive parents, we all shed a tear if not sobbed. While they are just characters, I felt as if that hug at the end of the episode wasn't just meant for Kip, but was meant for me as well, for all of the struggles that I have silently faced through my sexuality discovery.

Personally the most impactful episode for me was episode 5, as I'm sure many would agree with. This episode brought out feelings that I have not felt since my teenage years. The fact that they incorporated Rose's discovery of Shane so flawlessly was key. The automatic love and support Rose shows is something that is personally iconic to me. No judgment present, just automatic acceptance. Both Rose's and Svetlana's roles represent the importance of a strong foundation of building support through the discovery and acceptance of sexuality. I appreciate how, while sex was implied, the director pulled back from it to allow for the more serious important part of the story to resonate.

Episode 5 represents the start of both Ilya and Shane; acceptance. The final scene of Episode 5 represents those who put their neck out and were pioneers for the LGBTQ+ community. Those who were the first to accept their true selves and show the world. That scene is powerful, showing Ilya and Shane that they are not alone.

Overall this show has come with some very deep and personal feelings due to the connections I have been able to make. I have watched it through the eyes of that kid who didn't understand or know how to show the world who he truly was. I believe that this show is crucial for the LGBTQ+ community, as it truly shows the struggle of accepting your sexuality and being proud of it. I already know that many out there who are struggling with this are feeling seen by this story and the acting. Hopefully if anything this will show them that there is light at the end of the tunnel, while also helping them process and understand their feelings and the next steps. I am excited to see how the next episode interprets the book and see what connections I personally can continue to make.

Hopefully this is the start of many more shows based on LGBTQ+ book series.