Heated Rivalry Finale Review: Shane & Ilya’s Cottage Ending Is Pure Indulgent TV

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Jacob Tierney wraps up the story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov in the final installment of Heated Rivalry. The Crave original series, which also streams on HBO Max, premiered just a month ago but has quickly become one of the year’s biggest TV surprises. Based on Rachel Reid’s novel of the same name, Heated Rivalry follows the secret, years-long romance between two professional hockey players who are also fierce rivals.

Following the dramatic events of the second-to-last episode of Heater Rivalry, the finale slows down considerably. Appropriately named “The Cottage,” the 51-minute episode mainly takes place at Shane’s home in Ottawa, which was briefly shown in a documentary within the show. The couple uses this time to work through their emotions, delivering a satisfying conclusion after five episodes of tension and uncertainty.

Heated Rivalry Episode 6 Is Indulgent TV At Its Finest

HBO

Unlike previous seasons, the events of Heated Rivalry unfold over just a few days without significant time jumps. This creates a steadier pace, especially once Shane and Ilya are together again in Ottawa. The following hour is pure enjoyment, focusing entirely on their time at the cottage. While not entirely carefree, the cottage scenes aren’t without emotional depth – some moments are touching, and others are genuinely sad – but they lack the intense urgency of earlier episodes.

Even though the thrill of secrecy is gone, “The Cottage” episode still feels emotionally powerful through its quieter scenes. Like the toned-down intimacy in episode 5, this episode avoids explicit content, instead showing Shane and Ilya settling into a more comfortable, domestic life. After weeks of building their connection, the episode finally delivers on the relationship payoff viewers have been waiting for. While moments of Shane and Ilya simply enjoying each other’s company – playing around, eating burgers, and relaxing – aren’t dramatic, they’re some of the most satisfying parts of the series, as they feel fresh and rewarding for both the characters and the audience.

Even in the final moments, Heated Rivalry largely follows the original story. While the show covers the same key events as Shane and Ilya’s time at the cottage, it makes adjustments to match the episode’s tone. For instance, a lighthearted conversation about marrying Svetlana in the book becomes a more sincere moment in the show, and it ultimately sparks a series of emotional scenes that highlight just how deeply involved both characters have become.

Heated Rivalry Episode 6 Ends The First Chapter Of Shane & Ilya’s Romance At The Perfect Moment

HBO

A significant addition to the adaptation occurs later when a private conversation between Shane and his mother, Yuna, is included. This heartfelt discussion emphasizes the emotional struggle Shane has been experiencing with his sexuality. Although David plays a major role in Heated Rivalry so far, Shane’s connection with Yuna is clearly very strong. It’s refreshing to see Yuna accept what’s happening and offer her support.

The first season of Heated Rivalry doesn’t follow the book’s ending exactly. The show concludes sooner than the novel, meaning some scenes haven’t been filmed yet. While this change might not please everyone, it actually sets up a great starting point for season 2 and allows the show to explore new storylines for the characters.

The show concludes after a strong conversation between Shane, Ilya, Yuna, and David, neatly resolving all the main storylines. It’s currently unclear if the next season will finish adapting the first book or begin the events of The Long Game. Either way, Heated Rivalry provides a satisfying ending, which is something Hollywood rarely achieves these days.

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2025-12-26 14:00