Heated Rivalry - Season 1 Episode 2 (FULL REACTION)
Added 2026-01-16 00:12:28 +0000 UTC
Comments
“we didn’t even kiss” NO TELL ME WHY THAT HIT SO HARD HELLO ??????? ☹️☹️☹️🩷 your reactions to the steamy scenes get me every time, the immediate 😳👀 is SO real of you hahaha, MAN what a show!! really enjoying it so far and you’re adding so much to it, really don’t think I’d have ever watched this if you hadn’t started it so thank you again for putting me on!
Heather
2026-02-01 17:17:54 +0000 UTCHello Jay. I found you on YouTube about 2 weeks ago. I joined herr just a few days ago. I love seeing your reactions. I love seeing how emotionally invested you get into the stories. Keep up the great work.
Frankie Jones
2026-01-31 05:37:39 +0000 UTC😄😄😄 hope you're staying safe/warm!!!!!
Jay
2026-01-25 18:04:52 +0000 UTC🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷 When you said “Home is right beside you” 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
Mas
2026-01-25 15:58:15 +0000 UTCJay, if you wanted to just release all four episodes at once to help us Texans get through the upcoming winter storm this weekend I bet I could bribe a government official into thanking you publicly
M. R.
2026-01-23 19:47:00 +0000 UTCJay I'm so excited watching your reaction to this masterpiece! I actually watched all your SKAM reactions years ago and I appreciate how real, kind and perceptive you are! I'm so happy that you are enjoying our boys, I can't wait to see you reacting to Ep 5 and go to the Cottage!
Ren Summers
2026-01-23 02:54:32 +0000 UTCI'm with you on the love for Ilya. He is definitely my favorite fictional character ever. You should go watch Michael Beveraggi's reactions also here on Patreon, he is amazing and he falls in love with Ilya on the first scene of episode one. Totally worth the watch!
Ren Summers
2026-01-23 02:44:45 +0000 UTCFun fact: before their first time Ilya says "you will murder me" and then after "you killed me Hollander, I am dead" - in french, an orgasm is also called the little death "la petite mort" so they both died :)
SorinaB
2026-01-21 19:53:57 +0000 UTCYou are my favorite reactor on patreon, especially when it comes to this series!
Kris
2026-01-18 04:54:48 +0000 UTCMy sincere apologies, I’m about to write a whole book on why Ilya is the most misunderstood character on the show (not by you- you don't judge either character you try to be understanding regarding both their situations). I’m just so much more protective of him than Shane because he’s truly alone. Please don't feel obligated to read it all, but I had to get it off my chest!!!! Mind you I'm not making excuses for Ilya. He can be quite insensitive. He's usually not doing it to be cruel, but that doesn't make it any easier on Shane! llya is often unfairly judged for his behavior in Russia. Many think that his actions as cruel, ignoring that he was desperately trying to maintain their safety by setting boundaries dictated by the immediate dangers of that environment. The real tragedy of that scene lies in the breakdown of mutual respect for boundaries: earlier, in Episode 1, Ilya immediately honored Shane's "NOT NOW" during the shower scene, but, during the figure skating scene, Shane failed to reciprocate that same response when Ilya vocalized his own need for space by saying " NOT NOT", "GO SIT DOWN' and "GO AWAY". Even though Shane was just told by his teammates that Russia was dangerous, and Ilya demanded space, he continued to force the conversation, causing Ilya to escalate it until Shane finally backed down. The author has confirmed that Shane is on the spectrum, and that may explain why, through no fault of his own, he has difficulty reading subtext, verbal clues, and the temperature of a room. I think Shane’s naivety also stems from his personal privilege. He has loving and supportive parents and lacks an understanding of what life in Russia is truly like because of his comfortable upbringing in Canada. So while Shane’s neurodivergence may have made it harder for him to comprehend, Ilya’s demands for space was a necessary protective measure, not a personal rejection. Here are a few other examples where I feel that Ilya's behavior or motives have been misinterpreted: The Award Show Bathroom Scene: People incorrectly assume that Ilya's just being mean and trying to hurt Shane with his "I want you to suck my d***" comment. Ilya constantly uses sarcasm and humor (usually sexual in nature) to break the tension in a room. It's a common defense mechanism of his. His harsh exterior breaks, however, the moment he realizes Shane is in pain. He deliberately softens his voice, makes physical contact, and assumes a dominant position—not to embarrass or diminish Shane, but to help him cope with his out-of-control emotions. He has learned that Shane's feelings can easily spiral. By gently grabbing him by the face and giving him a comand he offers Shane something concrete to see and focus on, providing a vital anchor, which helps Shane manage his overwhelming feelings. He then reassures Shane of his genuine interest in seeing him later that night, passionately kisses him, and wishes him good luck showing Ilya's true affection and concern. The Vegas Penthouse Scene ( Dom/Sub Dynamic) I've seen so many people Shane and Ilya's dominant/submissive dynamic. The incorrectly assume it inherently means that Shane is being manipulated or coerced. This couldn't be farther from the truth. A clear illustration of Shane's enjoyment is seen when Shane asks, Ilya 'Are you going to fuck me?' and Ilya responds, 'We will see" the distinct smile that appears on Shane's face at that moment highlights his genuine enjoyment of their dynamic. For Shane, Ilya's dominance offers a much-needed release, allowing him to finally let go of control in his otherwise highly structured world, while for Ilya, the dynamic provides a sense of order amidst a chaotic environment. It is a mutual beneficial relationship. Ilya would never try and force Shane to do anything he didn't want to do. We've already seen throughout the series how important consent is to Ilya. The Penthouse Russia Conversation: Ilya’s self-image has been systematically destroyed by his father and brother, leaving him so starved for genuine affection that he can’t even conceive of Shane wanting a simple goodnight kiss. For Ilya, Russia isn't just a home country; it’s the site of his most recent professional failure and personal trauma. When Shane brings it up immediately after an intimate moment, it shatters Ilya’s fragile sense of safety, forcing him to immediately retreat into himself. The tragedy of their interaction lies in the 'double empathy problem.' Shane’s neurodivergence means he often misses the non-verbal cues—the tightening of Ilya's jaw or the shift in his gaze—that signal the conversation is harmful. He isn't being callous; he simply lacks the specific internal radar to 'read the room' in that moment. Ilya, in turn, is so desperate to end the topic that he shuts down entirely, creating a devastating cycle of unintentional hurt. The "We Didn't Even Kiss" Elevator Scene: Shane’s feelings in the elevator are frequently misinterpreted as frustration with Ilya, but it is actually a moment of internal crisis. That 'f***' is the sound of Shane’s emotional walls cracking; he is angry at himself for breaking his own rule against catching feelings. He not upset or angry with Ilya or the relationship (like he was when Ilya ghosted him), instead he's actually terrified by his own vulnerability.
Kris
2026-01-18 04:29:05 +0000 UTC12:45 : « Oh God, Hollander !! » Mark my words: doctorate theses will be written about HR’s sex scenes. It’s not the carnal acts themselves, but their meaning, the way they elevate physical intimacy into a communion of souls.
André P
2026-01-16 22:46:22 +0000 UTCIn Rachel Reid’s book Heated Rivalry, #7’s name in Ilya’s team is spelled Marlow - totally Anglo. In the series it’s spelled Marleau (6:50 in this video, we see his name on the jersey). Marleau (almost same pronunciation as Marlow) is a common French Canadian name. Jacob Tierney is a Montrealer and that city’s language duality is in his genes (he speaks French fluently, with no accent). Also, many of the soundtrack’s songs are in French or from francophone artists. I love the fact that Jacob stayed true to his Eastern Canada heritage and chose not to hide or downplay Montreal’s language schizophrenia. True to his gay self, true to his Montreal culture: love you Jacob ! ❤️
André P
2026-01-16 22:35:46 +0000 UTC
