Heated Rivalry Recap: Dancing On My Own

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Last week’s episode was a lighthearted break, but it’s great to be back focusing on Ilya and Shane’s compelling relationship. The episode beautifully shows their connection developing over a long distance between 2014 and 2016, with scenes of them texting, pursuing their careers, and eagerly anticipating their next competition. We see both the games and the intimacy that follows, culminating in a playful, suggestive text from Ilya after Shane wins two championships.

Over time, everyone starts to wonder about each other’s love lives. During a trip to the aquarium with Hayden and his kids (who we don’t see, likely to save money for things like body oil!), Hayden asks Shane about a past relationship and tries to fix him up with a friend of his wife. Even Shane’s parents attempt to set him up – with a Swedish princess, no less, a rare distraction from discussing his sponsorships. Ilya also faces questions from Svetlana about who he’s been texting – a mysterious “Jane” – and whether he’s dating. Despite all the matchmaking attempts, neither Ilya nor Shane seems interested in anyone other than each other.

Ilya and Shane quickly reunite at Ilya’s apartment, immediately sharing a passionate kiss in the entryway. Things escalate quickly, leading to intimate moments, including a playful and energetic encounter in bed. Later, as Shane prepares to leave, Ilya expresses his desire for him to stay, saying he’s not finished with their connection – a moment described as even more intense than their physical intimacy.

This is a big change in Ilya and Shane’s dynamic, especially considering how Ilya usually acts. The first couple of episodes focused mostly on physical attraction, but over time, they’ve developed a real emotional connection. The latest scenes are incredibly intimate and show a vulnerable side to both of them – they cuddle, Ilya makes sure Shane is comfortable, and even offers to make him a tuna melt! It’s a lot, but this shift is causing some confusion. It’s easier to understand a purely sexual or fully romantic connection than this complicated, in-between space they’re now sharing.

During a conversation on the couch, Ilya casually mentions past relationships with both Svetlana and other women, which visibly bothers Shane. Shane responds by saying he’s also attracted to women, though Ilya hasn’t seen any evidence of that. Ilya then playfully tells Shane he’s attracted to him, but clarifies it’s only physical – specifically, he compliments Shane’s mouth. This comment highlights the underlying tension: are they reducing each other to just bodies, or are they genuinely interested in each other as people? The conversation initially seems to lean towards the former, but shifts when Shane asks about Ilya’s father after overhearing a difficult phone call. Shane’s simple admission that he knows the Russian word for “father” is met with a sarcastic remark suggesting a deeper, more intimate understanding of the word.

We were just relaxing, cuddling on the couch, and things quickly escalated with Shane ending up on top of Ilya again. They finished together, but then, out of nowhere, Shane just…left. He apologized, saying he couldn’t continue, and it honestly felt like he was reciting lines – like that famous note Berger left Carrie! I guess navigating this complicated, grey area was just too much for him to handle. It was so abrupt and left everyone confused.

Later in the episode, Shane finds himself at a party facing a clear choice about his romantic path. He’s offered a free drink and some attention from a flirty bartender – one option. The other is the actress Rose Landry (played by Sophie Nélisse from Yellowjackets). It’s unclear which would be more appealing – a romantic encounter or spending time with someone like a young Melanie Lynskey. He ultimately chooses to connect with Rose, who is in town filming a new movie. They bond easily over their shared connection to hockey.

So, what’s behind this new relationship? While a public romance might seem like a response to questions about Shane’s sexuality, the pressure to date has mostly come from those close to him. It’s also possible he genuinely likes Rose. However, the timing is curious, coming right after Ilya admitted to being with women. Is this a competition of sorts? Or is Shane worried his relationship with Ilya is becoming more emotional than physical, and he’s trying to change course?

Their relationship doesn’t stay secret for long. Photos of them together surface, Rose starts wearing his jersey to games, and they quickly become a popular celebrity couple, similar to Travis and Taylor Swift. Ilya, feeling like the person on the outside looking in, is upset by all the attention.

Two weeks later, the teams faced off again, and as usual, Shane was on his phone before the game. This time, he was texting with Rose, who invited him to go to a club with her after the game. He still checked for messages from Ilya, but didn’t receive any. Perhaps that’s why both Shane and Ilya played poorly in what turned out to be a disappointing game. We briefly see Ilya angrily shove Shane into the glass on the ice. Oh, and it turns out this was just an exhibition match.

Following the game, Shane kept his promise and met Rose, and even though he was tired, he agreed to dance with her at the club. Unsurprisingly, Ilya showed up too – it seemed like everyone ended up at the same club! He saw Shane and Rose together on the dance floor and wasn’t pleased. In response, Ilya found someone else and deliberately kissed her right in front of Shane. The scene is practically begging for a fan edit set to Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” but being a Crave Original, the show actually used “All The Things She Said” by the Russian duo t.A.T.u. – a fitting choice.

Okay, quick question: what’s going on with Rose’s friend Miles? He’s clearly flirting with both Shane and Ilya, and then things get really weird – he starts dancing with Shane and Rose, gets really close, and even kisses Shane’s neck like it’s a scene from the movie Challengers. The strangest part is that nobody reacts to it at all. What was that all about?

Maybe the club’s refusal to play Robyn’s music contributed to both hockey players leaving soon after. Shane and Rose sleep together, an awkward encounter, while Ilya is left alone. However, the most meaningful moment seems to be the brief connection they shared with eye contact on the dance floor, rather than what happens afterward.

Butt Dials

• 12:34: Shane’s butt in motion, grinding as he rides Ilya. Classless.

• 12:50: A rear shot of him walking toward Ilya in bed, fully nude. Tasteful.

At the 41-minute, 28-second mark, Ilya nearly broke the shower glass while masturbating. He experienced an early climax, as if receiving an unexpected Christmas gift.

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2025-12-12 11:55