If there is one thing I am, it is chronically online. And as a chronically online person, there is one thing I do not like being: out of the loop. So when everyone kept talking about Heated Rivalry and cottages and loons and WYCTMCTS, I had to know what the internet was talking about. For context, I watched Tiger King during the Covid pandemic for similar reasons. I am easily swayed by the collective water-cooler talk of the internet.
I used to live-tweet shows in my Twitter heyday, so that’s what I did on Threads. A lot of people were worried about this, as they did not want me to miss a micro-expression, glance, or moment, so trust that I paused to share my thoughts. Loons—passionate fans of the show whose namesake comes from the “stupid Canadian wolf bird”—were also kind enough to suggest thematic food pairings to go with each episode. I guess this saves me the effort of applying my whole *Eating Books* schtick to the show, but maybe you’ll see a recipe for tuna melts down the line…
I’ve compiled highlights from my live reactions to all six episodes. Enjoy my journey to the cottage!
Episode 1: Rookies
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Salmon and brown rice
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Canada Dry ginger ale
Reaction Highlights
Read the full reaction thread here
Episode 2: Olympians
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Ice Cream (it wasn’t specified, so I chose Jeni’s brambleberry crisp)
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Vodka (not Russian, but this was all I had)
Reaction Highlights
Read the full reaction thread here
Episode 3: Hunter
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Blueberry banana smoothie
Reaction Highlights
Read the full reaction thread here
Episode 4: Rose
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Tuna Melt
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French Fries
Reaction Highlights
Read the full reaction thread here
Episode 5: I’ll Believe in Anything
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Vending machine candy bar (I went with Snickers)
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Canada Dry ginger ale
Reaction Highlights
Read the full reaction thread here
Episode 6: The Cottage
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Burgers (I couldn’t do 8 full-sized burgers, so I compromised with 3 mini sliders)
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Pasta with a lot of Parmesan cheese
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Coke
Reaction Highlights
Read the full reaction thread here
Final Thoughts
I thought I was getting a sexy gay hockey show, but what I got was… well, yes, sexy gay hockey, but also a lot of humor and heart, great character arcs, genuinely touching moments, and a well-earned romance. I was actually shocked at how emotionally invested I became. What starts as a series of secret hookups and stolen moments in hotel rooms—understandably so when society won’t allow you to love openly, notwithstanding the rivalry of it all—gradually transforms into a love story about intimacy and vulnerability. By the time we reach the end, Shane and Ilya are finally able to let down their walls within the safety of the cottage and everything it represents. What we get is not just a story about falling in love, but about choosing love, despite the risks that may come with it. TLDR: I came for the sexy gay hockey, but stayed for the cute gay relationship. Now I need them to be happy in Season 2, so you leave them be, you judgmental world!
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