After the beginning of the new year, there has been a certain buzz going around the internet with the new show “Heated Rivalry.”
From viral TikTok edits, to late night rewatches, students have quickly become invested in the series. OSU students shared their thoughts on the show and why it has been resonating with so many viewers.
Ella Lincoln, a second year studying psychology, felt that the show was very eye opening and the show itself is very viral for numerous reasons.
“I think one thing, like they took actors that have never been in anything before, so it’s really cool to see new faces, but also like I think the story itself is really important.”
Gem Madden, a second year studying civil engineering, felt a deep connection to the show and how it played out.
“I just really like how kind of real it felt I guess. I mean at times it felt very novelish because it’s based off of the novel. But, I liked how the main character’s relationship developed and everything like that.”
Madden also added that the show’s focus on a gay hockey player’s journey to safety and feeling comfortable coming out was meaningful, especially with how difficult it is to come out in a male dominated sport.
“A big part of it was showing how gay hockey players may have been like not feeling safe to come out, back then at least. I’m not super into hockey, so I don’t know how it is nowadays, but I assume it’s still somewhat the same.”
When Harlie Endicott, a third year student studying public policy and sociology was asked about their initial thoughts on the show, they felt that there was definitely a widespread impact.
“The first three episodes threw me off. Usually they build up to any sexual intercourse, but this is right away. But I thought it was really interesting and it had a widespread impact. I mean, a hockey player came out as gay after seeing the show.”
Endicott also emphasized how the Russian monologue that Ilya speaks at the end of episode five was a pivotal moment because it started to break down the walls and show the audience Shane and Ilya being open and vulnerable with each other.
Hoku Tiwanak, a third year marketing and journalism major, heard about the viral show from edits on TikTok, and started it right after Christmas.
“I just got really touched by the characters and then I got into more of their personal stories in their interviews online, and I thought it was so funny that I feel like in real life they’re kind of opposite.”
Tiwanak also explained that this show is important to break down barriers in television because gay sex is often portrayed as very aggressive, and scenes during this show are filmed as more endearing.
Melina Castro, a fourth year computer science major explained that since the show is from the perspective of two men, we get to see more of the vulnerability.
Castro also said that it’s very popular right now because, “A lot of queer identity stuff is rising more based on how open we are right now, and also other shows like “Heartstopper”, so it’s definitely something that is coming up more often.”
