Why everyone is obsessed with Heated Rivalry — and why it’s ripe for a gymnastics adaptation.
HEATED RIVALRY
In this listener-commissioned bonus episode, we break down the internet’s favorite hockey romance through a gymnastics lens — rivalry, pressure, secrecy, slow burns, and why elite athletes are like this. It’s an adult conversation with minor spoilers, wheeze giggles, and Oscar’s for butt.
Commissioned by Karla. This is her fault. Thank you, Alyssa for proving our point with her Ilya speech.
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Disappointed that this recap was dominated by Spencer’s terrified of being gay cynicism and so little attention was given to the innumerable gay man, who were actually athletes, that experienced life changing catharsis watching this show thinking how their younger self would be transformed by this representation. The majority of fans of the show watch and rewatch for the sweet (albeit somewhat unrealistic) romance. I guess people experience things differently. I made a close gay married couple friends watch it and they were clutching their pearls during the sex scenes saying it went too far for too long. I’m sitting there thinking y’all don’t even have sex with each other anymore and one of you is a fisting bottom! I guess we all could use some therapy. Sorry to go so hard on Spencer (wink wink) but their are plenty of out gay men of all ages who loved HR sincerely.