In every way, Heated Rivalry Season 1 is an absolute triumph in storytelling. Achingly romantic, incredibly well-written, gorgeously directed, and brimming with breathtaking performances from the whole cast, it’s unlike any adaptation we’ve had in a while, showcasing that love and respect for the source material can lead to true excellence.
More often than not, the romance genre is dismissed as meaningless smut, among other derogatory terms that feed into the toxic masculinity centered around content geared toward the LGBTQ+ community or women. Graphic nudity and sex in films are praised when sexual assault is present, but God forbid two consenting adults take time to get to know each other through sex.
It’s often exhausting to be a critic in this space, too, when shows within the romance genre are talked about through dismissive language that deems it all as a cliche, or worse, predictable: as though following a formula isn’t present in all genres. Still, as much as I’ve seen tremendous changes around how romance is adapted, Heated Rivalry is in a league of its own and setting an inimitable example. Its fifth episode, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” is now among the top three with a 10/10 rating on IMDb, alongside critically acclaimed masterpieces like Breaking Bad’s “Ozymandias” and Six Feet Under’s “Everyone’s Waiting.”
And here’s the thing: romance doesn’t need a critical seal of approval to be good. We’ve been in these trenches for a long time, defending the genre’s importance in storytelling, yet everything we get with the show is incomparable. It’s rare. The intimacy is unlike anything else that’s crossed our screens; the needle drops are wildly perfect; the pacing is exquisite, and the blocking is bewitching.
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The narrative tools that Jacob Tierney uses to move the story from the first episode to the last are so compelling that, despite how much time passes in between Shane and Ilya’s journey, it never feels like we’re missing out on key information. The conversations he takes verbatim from Rachel Reid’s novel and the way each scene is framed around crucial book moments underscore the importance of vulnerability in storytelling to showcase how people can go from hooking up to falling in love. The way each scene is structured to ensure that every beat gives us something profound is no small feat. It’s artistry at its absolute finest because everyone on the show understands the beauty of falling in love and how it’s such a deeply human emotion.
And isn’t that the reason we watch movies and TV in the first place? To find connections that are bigger than ourselves? To understand that we aren’t alone in what we’re experiencing? The best stories are the ones that focus closely on human emotions, and it’s not hyperbole to say that Heated Rivalry is groundbreaking in what it accomplishes with six episodes. The significance that the show will have on LGBTQ+ representation is so beautiful that it makes me tear up every time I think about it.
In addition, the performances that Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams consistently bring throughout the episodes are a masterclass in depicting what it looks like to have profound conversations in silence. Every gaze and every movement contribute to a larger, more captivating story that effectively dazzles through every episode, adding layers and layers to the relationship in a way that’s awe-inspiring.
The gravity of the emotions is so deeply nuanced that watching people analyze and geek out over details on social media has been an absolute treat because I can’t remember the last time a romance on TV had this much buzz. There’s also something to be said about the weekly release method that’s contributing to the joy of it all. In short, the production value brought on by the entire team at Crave Canada and Jacob Tierney is a masterclass in adaptation. This is how you deliver a romance and stick the landing in every way to create something profoundly intimate, unique, vulnerable, and well-rounded. May this be the beginning of more queer and BIOPIC adaptations with unapologetic joy sprinkled into every frame.
What are your thoughts on Heated Rivalry Season 1? Let us know in the comments below.