Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Heated Rivalry Episode 3.
Heated Rivalry just pulled off something virtually unheard of in romantic TV adaptations: it made its main couple disappear. Well, sort of. The HBO Max series primarily follows hockey rivals Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose secret romance has driven the first two episodes — But in a surprising switch-up, Episode 3 shifts from them almost entirely to focus on Scott (François Arnaud) and Kip (Robbie G.K.), a completely different couple in author Rachel Reid’s book series. Shane and Ilya are briefly glimpsed in the background, reduced to supporting players in someone else’s love story. It’s a bold narrative choice that feels unprecedented for a romance adaptation.
What Is ‘Heated Rivalry’ About?
Image via Crave/ HBO Max
Heated Rivalry tells the story of a years-long professional rivalry and hidden romance between two star hockey players, delving into how they conceal their relationship from the public while striving for success on the ice. The first two episodes have already created investment in Shane and Ilya’s story, their romance, and how they will juggle the pressures of this highly competitive sport alongside their secret desires — which is exactly why the show’s narrative shift is so surprising.
In Episode 3, we meet Scott Hunter (Arnaud), a star hockey player who has been struggling to play well. This all changes when he meets a charming barista, Kip (G.K.), who offers to make him a personalized smoothie. Scott begins to frequent the shop where Kip works before his games, crediting Kip and his smoothies for his improved performance. While Kip is initially confused about whether he’s reading too much into their interactions, their connection quickly flourishes into a romance. Unfortunately, their relationship has to be kept under wraps because Scott is in the closet and insists he won’t be able to come out publicly, at least for several more years. The entire episode revolves around the highs and lows of Kip and Scott’s romance, including the moment when they decide to take a break.
Episode 3 is a risky move from creator Jacob Tierney and the show’s writers because it marks a sudden departure from the emotional and narrative arc being fostered. Asking viewers to venture on a “side quest,” so to speak, could have caused fans to lose interest. However, what makes this narrative choice particularly intriguing is how Scott and Kip’s relationship mirrors the core conflict between Shane and Ilya. Both couples grapple with the suffocating weight of secrecy in professional sports, forced to hide their love from the public eye. The parallel suggests Episode 3 isn’t just a detour but may be a thematic echo for the show’s main romance.
‘Heated Rivalry’s Narrative Shift Is Closer to ‘The Last of Us’ Than ‘Bridgerton’
This self-contained episodic strategy is a rare occurrence in romance shows, which frequently focus on one main couple throughout their run. The most famous example on streaming is Netflix’s Bridgerton, which shares several similarities with Heated Rivalry. Both are adapted from book series, and several of Bridgerton’s stories have revolved around a forbidden romance. However, the key difference between the two shows is that Bridgerton mostly focuses on one couple throughout a season. While it may include side plots featuring other couples, it largely focuses on one at its core. Regardless, it stands out from other romance shows by changing its main couple with every season, with the previous leads adopting more of a supporting role moving forward.
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Interestingly, the show Heated Rivalry has more in common with, due to this daring narrative choice, is one on the same streamer: HBO’s The Last of Us. Like Heated Rivalry, the show’s third hour focused on Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett’s Bill and Frank for a story that spanned their entire 20-year relationship, marking a clear departure from the main storyline about Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). The episode, titled “Long, Long Time,” was critically acclaimed, proving that audiences can embrace a narrative detour when it’s emotionally resonant and thematically connected to the larger story.
But can Heated Rivalry achieve similar success? While The Last of Us had the buffer of being a post-apocalyptic drama, where romance was secondary, Heated Rivalry is about love at its core — and only has six episodes to tell its story. The gamble is whether fans who came to the show for Shane and Ilya’s forbidden romance will embrace the detour or feel blindsided by being asked to invest in entirely new characters midway through. Either way, it’s one of the most daring swings a romance adaptation has taken in years.
Release Date
November 28, 2025
Network
Crave
Directors
Jacob Tierney
Cast
Connor Storrie
Ilya Rozanov
Hudson Williams
Shane Hollander
