Heated Rivalry’s ending is a very dull one compared to the title of the show. The final episode certainly feels like it’s slightly distanced itself from the rest of the show, which was so gritty and dark. This final episode almost feels like it was shot through rose-tinted glasses, giving us the romantic ending of a beautiful love story that was totally unexpected. Still, I watched with bated breath, wondering when something was going to go wrong, when someone would catch Shane and Ilya, or when one of them would decide this is it. I finally understand why this particular story resonates with so many people. While this is a show about a gay couple, coming out, and sporty rivalry, at its heart, it’s all about vulnerability. Vulnerability that can only come through kindness and being with good people. Anyway, before I melt into a puddle of joy, let’s get into the ending of Heated Rivalry season 1 and everything we can expect from season 2.
Spoiler Alert
What Happens At The Cottage?
The season finale begins with Scott, who has just come out after winning the championship, becoming the poster child for gay hockey players. This is important, because he plays a pivotal role in how Shane and Ilya feel about themselves and each other. The show’s big moment isn’t one of shock; it’s beautiful and somber. Ilya decides to go to Shane’s cottage in the summer thanks to Scott coming out and him finally realizing he really doesn’t want to go back to Russia. Sure, Ilya is happy to be with Shane as a secret lover, but it’s finally when Scott comes out that Ilya thinks of Shane as more than just that. When Ilya arrives, the first thing Shane asks him is if anybody recognized him. Ilya says he doesn’t think so, but he wouldn’t even notice if they had. But that’s about the only time the couple shows any sign of restraint.
When the couple gets to the cottage, it’s like watching them honeymooning. They’re having the time of their life, and it does feel almost strange even now to see a non-heterosexual couple being so domestic without any consequences on TV. This is not to say that it shouldn’t become a more common thing. It’s beautiful to see them together, relaxed, unbothered by the stress of coming out or the fear of being caught. Now Ilya tells Shane that he doesn’t want a Russian passport anymore, and thinks he’ll marry Svetlana for an American passport. He says she’ll do it, but Shane wonders.
If Ilya eventually finds someone he actually wants to marry, what would he do then? The difference here is that Ilya is bisexual, while Shane is homosexual. So obviously, one is bound to feel insecure when the other suggests they’re going to marry someone else, even if it’s for convenience’s sake. Shane asks Ilya not to do it, because he wants to make other plans. So, in the middle of the night after getting Ilya to promise him he won’t marry Svetlana, Shane comes up with the plan that Ilya will stop playing for Boston and come over to Ottawa, which is only 2 hours away from Montreal. They’ll be in the same country, and then they will also start a charity together so that later, far in the future, they can say they grew close while working on this charity together and then fell in love. The problem here isn’t the fact that they’re gay, but that they’re in love with their rivals. Considering the boys have been together since the summer before their rookie season, even if it wasn’t so much love as lust back then, Shane and Ilya would have to wait significantly longer to make it to the finish line. Still, it’s doable.
How Do Shane’s Parents React To His Sexuality?
In Heated Rivalry’s ending, the bubble bursts finally when Shane’s dad, who left his charger in the cottage, shows up to pick it up, not knowing Shane is meant to be there. David immediately rushes out, claiming he didn’t see anything (he saw them kissing). Immediately, Shane freaks out; he knew this day would come, but he doesn’t know what to do. Ilya, on the other hand, is cool as a cucumber and simply gives his man a hug. Ilya even says he’ll go with Shane, and the latter agrees. When Shane gets to the house, he’s still freaking out, but ironically, his parents seem totally okay. Ilya does introduce himself as Shane’s lover, which is quite hilarious. Considering how uptight, or rather how focused, Shane’s mother, Yuna, is, I never expected her to be so relaxed when she found out about Shane’s romantic life.
Anyway, Shane tells his parents he’s gay and that he’s in love with Ilya. They then sit at the table to discuss, and Yuna’s ready to use this as an opportunity to make more deals with Shane’s sponsors, but, of course, her son stops her from getting ahead of herself. Comically, they’re both the same in this way. When Shane stresses out, Ilya tells him that he’s fine, because his family is there and so is his boyfriend, too. This cheers the boy up, and finally everyone is smiling big wide smiles. Also, yes, Yuna did wonder if Ilya would leave Boston for Shane, and he says he would, because he’s loyal to his boyfriend, not his team (oop). Ultimately, the final episode ends with the boys driving away with big smiles on their faces. It seems like they’re driving off into the horizon, all smiles and like everything is going to be okay, but surely, that can’t be true, can it?
What Can We Expect From Season 2?
As someone who hasn’t read the books, I’m going to try and come up with theories of my own, but please feel free to tell us what may be coming next season. For one, I think Scott might be an important character, returning to play a bigger role in Shane and Ilya’s lives. Additionally, there’s a chance we’ll see Ilya already working on the team switching, trying to get closer to Shane. It does seem like this is an ultimate shift towards the two of them reaching their dream life.
While the show is called “Heated Rivalry,” I don’t think it feels that heated in terms of the rivalry itself, if you know what I mean. I wonder if there will be some sort of issues because the two were meant to be rivals. Yuna does say that she thought Shane hated Ilya, which was quite funny. But I do think after this one blissful episode, things will get darker yet again, especially considering they have to keep this hidden for longer, despite Scott having come out. Plus there has to be some sort of conflict for the next season, no? Anyway, what did you think of season 1 finale? And do you think the second season will be as compelling?
