Heated Rivalry Doesn’t Need to Pay Attention to Time

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The second episode of Heated Rivalry quickly jumps ahead 18 months. The episode opens with a montage showing the passage of time, moving from Summer 2011 to Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, and then Fall 2012, all with quick cuts to black. This time-jumping happens frequently – fifteen times in just the first two episodes – rapidly taking the story from 2008 to 2014 in under two hours. We see competitors and on-again, off-again lovers Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie, who nails a fantastic Russian accent – someone get him on The Queen’s Gambit!) portrayed as both recent high school graduates and seasoned professionals. The constant time shifts leave you wondering if we’ll eventually see them as elderly characters – will they age throughout the series? When will the show slow down and just focus on their relationship and hockey?

I understand the story jumps around in time because of the demands of professional sports – players on different teams rarely see each other. This applies to the characters Hollander and Rozanov, who are separated by distance, weather, and their commitments to their teams and families. However, these constant time jumps work much better in the book version, Heated Rivalry. The HBO Max series is based on a Rachel Reid novel that spans ten years in the lives of Shane and Ilya. The story is divided into chapters named after specific events – matches, championships, and even the Olympics – and follows their secret moments together while competing in the same city. The chapter breaks allow the story to show what happens when they’re apart, with each character’s thoughts filling in the gaps.

While the gradual build-up of Shane and Ilya’s connection might be enjoyable on its own, the show’s constant use of time jumps and fades feels disruptive and pulls you out of the story. Heated Rivalry isn’t about getting the details right; it’s a heightened, fantastical take on two hockey players navigating life and love. Viewers don’t need every moment meticulously laid out. The show should trust us to follow the timeline without constantly interrupting the flow. Dialogue can handle quick reminders – like a mention of the upcoming Olympics. Showrunner Jacob Tierney keeps the story moving quickly, rarely staying in one place or time for long. Everything feels fast-paced, with moments of quiet reflection only happening when one of the characters is lost in thought. This speed also highlights how little Shane and Ilya have going on outside of their relationship; even with people they’ve known for years, their conversations feel superficial and new.

The limited time Hollander and Rozanov have together is central to their relationship, and the show emphasizes this by portraying their intimate moments as fragmented and rushed. Even their sex scenes are cut short, with the camera repeatedly fading to black during a single encounter – even when they don’t change positions. While it makes sense that the characters feel pressed for time, the show unnecessarily imposes this quick pace on the audience. These scenes could be a consistent source of pleasure and connection for them, a chance to truly lose themselves, but the constant interruptions prevent that. As a fantasy, the show should allow these moments to unfold and feel more immersive.

The novel the show is based on concludes in 2017, hinting that the series might lose some momentum. However, that doesn’t excuse the messy start of these first two episodes. What often makes long-distance relationships special is that every moment together feels incredibly significant. But in Heated Rivalry, every interaction feels forced and overemphasized. For the connection between Hollander and Rozanov—and their impressive physiques—to truly resonate, the show needs to create a sense of timelessness, both for the characters and the audience. Their romance shouldn’t feel rushed or scheduled.

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2025-12-02 22:55