The glorious, easy-to-miss moments in Heated Rivalrys finale

The glorious, easy-to-miss moments in Heated Rivalry's finale Neal Broverman Read Full Bio Spoilers ahead for the season one finale of HBO Max's Heated Rivalry : That's a wrap for the first season of Heated Rivalry , the come-from-nowhere Canadian romance that quickly leapfrogged to the top of HBO Max's streaming series list. There is not yet a critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes for episode six, but the ultra-romantic, (mostly) languid finale certainly captured hearts on social media, with plenty of meme-able moments between NHL lovebirds, Shane and Ilya. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. After their fellow player Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) very publicly came out, Ilya decides that he will accept Shane's offer to spend a few weeks at the latter's secluded Canadian cottage (this cottage is more like a mansion in the woods, but it's good to be a professional athlete). Once at their private compound, some initial awkwardness between the besotted duo gives way to lovemaking, meal prep, barbecues, and numerous heartfelt confessions, delivered perfectly by Hudson Williams (Shane) and Connor Storrie (Ilya). You May Also Like Some of the most affecting conversations include Ilya discussing his mother's suicide - he found her body when he was 12 - and a wonderful moment where Shane expresses to Ilya that their relationship is no longer just about the thrill of the forbidden, or even just about lust, but something much more. Then, Ilya, discussing his residency issues, admits he may marry his best friend/occasional lover Svetlana in order to obtain a green card. This elicits a wounded response from Shane, who quietly pleads with his betrothed not to marry someone who's not him (Williams's eye acting here is beautiful). It's Shane's solution to Ilya's problem - his desire to never return to Russia - that serves as the impetus to what the whole season has built up to. Shane has stayed up all night, working on a solution, one that could keep them in each other's proximity. Shane proposed that Ilya abandon the Boston team that drafted him and join Ottawa, only two hours from Shane's home in Montreal. Shane also wants to start a charity with Ilya, giving them a reason to work together off the ice; a prelude to them being together, which Shane admits is what he wants so much it scares him. Shane's devotion to building a future for them together is catnip to Ilya, who starts smothering Shane with kisses, whispering words to him in Russian. Those words: "I love you." Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . A moment later, crying and shaking, Ilya gathers to courage to tell Shane those words in English. Seeing this tougher-than-nails Russian hockey beast quivering over his love for Shane is a TV moment for the ages. Shane, gobsmacked, waits a beat to respond, which almost makes Ilya waver, until Shane responds in kind. "I love you so fucking much," Shane says. The oceans parted and the skies...

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