Heated Rivalry has made me feel more alive than ever. Not only does the story invigorate me, but also the actors, the cinematography, everything about this show feels so authentic… I’m in awe of it.
This show has also helped me believe in love again, which has strangely coincided with me realizing this past month I am in love with someone I cannot have. I’m not even mad about it, I’m just glad I now know I have the capability to love someone like that. Perhaps in 10 years time, like Shane and Ilya, we’ll find our way back to each other… or maybe we won’t. Life works in mysterious ways and I’m ready to start living it.
The answers to your questions will depend on the person's age. Coming out in the 80s or 90s were very different if you came out in the last 20ish years. I believe that as you get older (>30s), the chances of accessing the same feelings you had in your 20s become more and more unreachable. I love Heated Rivalry but it has evoked sad memories and emotions. There is no cottage for me to relax.
Beautiful reflection on how we consign passion to the past when we could be creating those moments right now. The Heated Rivalry comparison to your own cottage week is spot-on, those early relationship moments have this unrepeatable magic but maybe that's because we stop actively seeking novelty. I've been thinking alot about how comfort and stability don't have to mean settleing into routine, and this piece captures that tension perfectly.
Boy have I enjoyed watching Heated Rivalry. As a 74 yo bisexual woman with narcissistic arrogance I almost visualize Hudson and Connor as honorary grandsons. Let me be clear, I have never had children and therefore have no grandchildren. The theme of toxic culture resonates with me since in my career, I was a public school teacher. I started in 1979 and under no circumstances could I have been “out”. It’s only in my old age that I have exited the closet. I am so happy that in this uncertain world there are entertainment companies in other countries who are still able to honestly address LGBTQ+ life. I hope that we here in the US will continue to have access to the content they produce. I also want to shout out the cis-hetero white men on some hockey podcasts (Empty Netters and What Chaos) who have wholeheartedly embraced the show and have posted reaction videos that are honest and respectful.
As for Stranger Things, I loved this last season and respect what the Duffer brothers have accomplished. There have been haters, nitpickers, and “holier than thou” genre experts who have been very critical but these two gentlemen have nothing to apologize for. Has the show been perfect…hell no. However, they have shared something very important with the world.
Lovely essay. Happy 2026!
Heated Rivalry has made me feel more alive than ever. Not only does the story invigorate me, but also the actors, the cinematography, everything about this show feels so authentic… I’m in awe of it.
This show has also helped me believe in love again, which has strangely coincided with me realizing this past month I am in love with someone I cannot have. I’m not even mad about it, I’m just glad I now know I have the capability to love someone like that. Perhaps in 10 years time, like Shane and Ilya, we’ll find our way back to each other… or maybe we won’t. Life works in mysterious ways and I’m ready to start living it.
The answers to your questions will depend on the person's age. Coming out in the 80s or 90s were very different if you came out in the last 20ish years. I believe that as you get older (>30s), the chances of accessing the same feelings you had in your 20s become more and more unreachable. I love Heated Rivalry but it has evoked sad memories and emotions. There is no cottage for me to relax.
Beautiful reflection on how we consign passion to the past when we could be creating those moments right now. The Heated Rivalry comparison to your own cottage week is spot-on, those early relationship moments have this unrepeatable magic but maybe that's because we stop actively seeking novelty. I've been thinking alot about how comfort and stability don't have to mean settleing into routine, and this piece captures that tension perfectly.
Boy have I enjoyed watching Heated Rivalry. As a 74 yo bisexual woman with narcissistic arrogance I almost visualize Hudson and Connor as honorary grandsons. Let me be clear, I have never had children and therefore have no grandchildren. The theme of toxic culture resonates with me since in my career, I was a public school teacher. I started in 1979 and under no circumstances could I have been “out”. It’s only in my old age that I have exited the closet. I am so happy that in this uncertain world there are entertainment companies in other countries who are still able to honestly address LGBTQ+ life. I hope that we here in the US will continue to have access to the content they produce. I also want to shout out the cis-hetero white men on some hockey podcasts (Empty Netters and What Chaos) who have wholeheartedly embraced the show and have posted reaction videos that are honest and respectful.
As for Stranger Things, I loved this last season and respect what the Duffer brothers have accomplished. There have been haters, nitpickers, and “holier than thou” genre experts who have been very critical but these two gentlemen have nothing to apologize for. Has the show been perfect…hell no. However, they have shared something very important with the world.
Full marks for use of the word limerence. And, Happy New Year.