HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry Explores Intimacy and Competition
HBO Max’s heated Rivalry distinguishes itself from its predecessors, Letterkenny and Shoresy, both created by Jared Keeso and Jacob Tierney, by moving beyond using profanity as a substitute for physical intimacy.While those shows employed escalating verbal sparring as a proxy for sex, Heated Rivalry features explicit consummation, framing sexual encounters as another arena for competitive drive.
The series’ sex scenes are described as lengthy and intimate,”more insinuating than directly graphic,but very graphically insinuating,” comparable in tone to Netflix’s Bridgerton. Orgasms are presented as victories akin to those achieved on the ice, reflecting the characters’ inherent desire to win. This competitive spirit extends into their private moments, with pillow talk mirroring the motivational language of teammates, leading them to address each other by last names - a dynamic described as both “sweet and funny.”
Though, the reviewer notes a visual repetition within these scenes, citing “so many tight-close-ups” and “carefully framed blow jobs, with no visible genitals, but little else left to the imagination.” This stylistic choice, while aiming to capture the intensity of a new relationship, occasionally causes the scenes to “drag.” The reviewer suggests Tierney intends to shift the focus from sex as plot and character progress towards more traditional plot-driven character arcs.
The chemistry between stars Williams and Storrie is acknowledged, but the review points out Williams’ character feels “bland” when engaged in conventional hockey storylines. Supporting performers Change and Walsh are considered underutilized, their roles limited to “a whiff of standard overbearing sports parenting.” Storrie, conversely, delivers a more compelling performance, particularly within his sexually dominant role, effectively portraying a character who cajoles his less experienced partner.
The series’ rapid pace, covering multiple years within the first two episodes, makes its ultimate direction difficult to predict. While the revelation of the relationship to families, teammates, and the wider world is anticipated, it remains unclear whether the show will fully explore the complexities of navigating such a relationship publicly or confine those struggles to intimate settings.
Ultimately, the success of Heated Rivalry as a six-episode limited series – or potentially an ongoing drama – hinges on its ability to sustain narrative momentum. The reviewer concludes that the series has fundamentally altered their perspective on future hockey viewings, including crosby/Ovechkin matchups and subsequent seasons of Shoresy.