Heated Rivalry Episode 5 Scores Perfect IMDb Rating: A Masterclass In Queer Romance

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for episode 5 of HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry, titled “I’ll Believe In Anything.” The show, a queer romance set in the world of professional hockey, has quickly become a hit with audiences around the world, much like the surprising love story at its heart. Heated Rivalry is based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series and is currently one of the most talked-about new shows, despite being set in the famously competitive world of major league hockey.

The show has been gaining more and more attention each week, and episode 5, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” was a particularly strong installment that showed the depth of feeling behind the story of this hockey team. Starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, Heated Rivalry has also benefited from a brilliant social media strategy.

The show Heated Rivalry is a big hit, so much so that gay bars in Los Angeles are holding viewing parties. The cast even made a surprise visit to Hi Tops, a popular bar in West Hollywood, which thrilled the patrons. Heated Rivalry got off to a strong start and continues to gain popularity.

Heated Rivalry Episode 5 Has A Perfect IMDb Score

From Sexy Premiere To Penultimate Perfect Emotion Payoff

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“Heated Rivalry” has steadily gained a following with each new episode, and its success is truly earned. The season started strong with a two-part premiere that quickly introduced the main characters, Shane and Ilya, and didn’t shy away from the physical intimacy that’s central to their connection. While the show features explicit sexual content, it’s used to reveal character motivations and explore both the bonds and emotional barriers between them.

The show’s first episode asked viewers to be patient with its jumps forward in time, quickly moving through years of competition and relationships. While a little confusing at first, this approach ultimately worked well. By episode 3, when the story focused on a more self-contained romance between supporting characters, the show had already proven it deserved the chance to slow down and explore that side of things. While every episode has received high ratings on IMDb (never below 9.3), episode 5 of Heated Rivalry truly brings everything together emotionally.

The fifth episode of Heated Rivalry currently has a perfect score on IMDb and has received over twice as many ratings as any other episode, showing it’s not only popular but widely watched. It’s one of only two television episodes ever to achieve a perfect IMDb rating, matching the score of Breaking Bad‘s famous “Ozymandias” episode.

The series Heated Rivalry has been a hit for HBO in the US, staying in the Top 10 for several weeks. It’s also become the most popular original series ever on Crave in Canada, with viewership jumping almost 400% in its first week. The show got off to a strong start and continued to gain viewers, culminating in the latest episode of its first season.

What Makes “I’ll Believe In Anything” Such A Great Episode

Tying In Episode 3 Changes Shane & Ilya’s Future

HBO Max

Episode 5, titled “I’ll Believe In Anything,” is a standout because it’s surprisingly tender and deeply moving. It brings closure to Scott and Kipp’s story and sets Shane and Ilya off on a new path. The change of scenery to Miami, with its bright, tropical style, adds a fresh vibe. The sweet moment on the beach at sunset, when Shane and Ilya almost touch hands, feels like a classic romantic scene reimagined for modern television – almost like something out of a Jane Austen novel.

The tender connection between the characters is made more powerful by the very real consequences they face. While many love stories focus only on internal struggles, Ilya’s desperate statement about not being able to return to Russia if he reveals his true self roots the story in a harsh reality. This outburst particularly resonates with Western viewers, highlighting the genuine danger lurking beneath the surface of their romantic connection.

In 2013, basketball player Jason Collins became the first openly gay athlete in any of the four major American sports leagues (NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB). As of today, no one has played in a regular NHL game while being openly gay.

The most moving part of the episode happens when Ilya calls Shane and speaks in Russian. Even though Shane doesn’t understand the language, he listens intently to Ilya’s voice. The scene contrasts their situations – Ilya is in a dimly lit, pink tunnel, while Shane is in bright sunlight – visually highlighting how far apart they are, even as close-up shots make them feel connected.

Connor Storrie delivers a remarkably consistent Russian accent while playing Ilya Rozanov, which is surprising considering he’s originally from Texas. This adds a layer of humor, especially when Ilya mentions Shane could learn Russian quickly. Later, after Shane is injured and medicated, he becomes unusually cheerful and pleased to see Ilya – unaware that Ilya has just confessed his feelings, a moment only the audience witnessed through subtitles.

The characters in Heated Rivalry feel surprisingly well-developed, even if they don’t have a lot of screen time. Rose Landry’s departure is a great example of this. While she mainly serves a purpose in Shane’s story, the show handles her exit with unusual kindness and respect.

Because she understands herself so well, she’s able to end the relationship kindly, and this encourages Shane to be truthful with his own feelings. Their continued close friendship – they still talk on the phone – and Rose’s promise to visit after the accident create a feeling of warmth and emotional resolution in the episode.

Where Does Heated Rivalry Go From Here?

An Anthology Model (Like Bridgerton Or The Original Books) May Be the Key

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The TV show Heated Rivalry has a bright future because it’s part of a larger story world. The show is based on Heated Rivalry, the second book in a series by Rachel Reid. The first book, Game Changer, centers on Scott and Kipp, and subsequent books follow other gay athletes in the league.

The latest book in the series, number six, The Long Game, revisits Shane and Ilya, suggesting their story is essential to the overall narrative, but not the only focus. Now that Heated Rivalry has been picked up for a second season, fans are wondering if the show will continue to follow Shane and Ilya’s relationship, or if it will shift to a different couple as the main storyline.

The first season subtly explored a new concept. The storyline initially planned as Game Changer was integrated into episode 3, and the emotional impact of Scott and Kipp’s first kiss wasn’t fully realized until episode 5. Although the show’s popularity is largely driven by the connection between Williams and Storrie, episode 3 demonstrates that the series has broader appeal beyond just their relationship.

“Heated Rivalry” truly gets the nuances of queer desire, the importance of emotional pacing, and satisfying romance – and it understands these elements across the entire story, not just within one couple. Because of this, a format similar to “Bridgerton” seems like the best way to adapt the story for the long run. Having loosely connected seasons with returning characters would keep things interesting while still staying true to the spirit of the books.

Falling in love feels like something out of a movie, but maintaining that feeling over a long period is often less glamorous. Perhaps Shane and Ilya would be more effective as secondary characters rather than the central romance in season two. Allowing them to remain a stable emotional presence while new couples, like Troy Barrett and Harris Drover, become the main focus, could protect the spark of ‘Heated Rivalry’ and prevent it from losing its impact.

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2025-12-22 22:40