u/wildwomanlove

Alright, loons.🦆

After the reheating Season 1 countless times and consuming such character analysis for Season 1, I am so ready for Ilya and Shane as well as their relationship to grow and mature in Season 2. So this discussion is for all character development and psychology nerds as well as anyone interested in the depth and emotional sophistication of the storyline.

⚠️ WARNING: If you haven't read The Long Game and not looking to get spoiled, this discussion is not for you. You're entering the space at your own risk and responsibility.

_________________________________________

Jacob (and Rachel) spoke at a BookCon panel last Saturday. Here is his explanation of what is expecting us:

“It’s different. It really is different. And the challenge of it, from an adaptation point of view, is that you’re in much more serious territory. A lot of the initial — there’s still lots of flirting and lots of sex — but this kind of danger, this kind of hotel-room-adolescent-sex stuff is largely gone. And so it presents really new challenges.”

“Part of the reason you start off with Heated Rivalry, as far as adapting goes, is because you want to get to The Long Game. (...) Because The Long Game is an emotionally sophisticated book that takes this couple seriously."

What are the character development moments, turning points or journeys that you are particularly interested in seeing in Season 2?

I think we all know that Jacob and the boys will destroy us.

I personally am looking forward to the famous "I already chose you, Hollander.". Although I understand that Shane's mind processes differently, I feel like from a storytelling perspective, he absolutely needed that wake-up call.

Also for the comedic relief of it all: Ilya's relationship with the 15th best Montreal player and everyone he get to be a huge menace and master ragebaiter with.

I'm constantly amazed by the creativity and beautiful work of this fandom. This one might be for a quieter moment...

Edit: @atomatas on Insta

Poem: Wild geese

Poet: Mary Oliver

Read by: Helena Bonham Carter

Happy Monday, everyone.

Ilya: "You won't be so nice to me when we beat you."

Shane: "That's not happening."

Who's a "big baby" with Jacob and me on this one?

Okay, people. After a very heated discussion with a friend of mine, where we reached no agreement, I need to bring the topic to the fandom.

What is from the relationship status of Shane and Ilya at the end of Season 1 from your perspective?

With the 15 year retirement plan Shane proposes starting a charity which is a whole a** business relationship before even having the "What are we?" conversation. Those of you who have the loved experience of running business, charities, associations etc. with loved ones know not only the amount paper work involved but the overall impact on their relationships that this has. In Hollanov's case, the plan would lead to additionally tying personal brands together. So Shane's idea which Ilya is ready to move forward with seems much bigger to me than what comes next.

On Ilya's call, they go from "lovers" to "boyfriends" all in front of Shane's parents, again... still without having had the "What are we?" conversation.

So... "What are they?" at the end of Season 1 from your perspective? Also, does the secrecy of whatever they are play a role in how you would describe their relationship?

For the discussion, please keep in mind that we come from different contexts, cultures, generations etc. and what might be totally obviously be labeled as one thing in one context might not be in another.

Source of the photo: Out Magazine

Happy Friday, everyone.

I was very touched by the speeches of Rachel and Jacob at their honoring at The NYC LGBT Community center. Rachel highlighted how moved she is by the community that emerged worldwide, the effects it has on our lives and the movements it created for many of us. She described the show as "a drama series about queer characters that's brave enough to have a happy ending."

We might not all be queer but the fact that we are here is a testament that we have deeply resonated with the piece of art that is Heated Rivalry.

What is the happy ending you are currently being brave enough to show up and fight for?

And in the worlds of the beautiful Ilya Rozanov, never forget: "It's scary. But you're brave."

___________

Rachel and Jacob's speeches: The IG stories of @lgbtcenternyc, the tumblr links are in a post from yesterday here in the subreddit.

GIF source: thisfeebleheart on tumblr