The Readirect Podcast
Shifting the conversation back to books. Hosted by Abigail Freshley and Emily Rojas.
The Readirect Podcast
Heated Rivalry Episode 3 (YOU F***ING HEARD ME, HOLLANDER)
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We recap Episode 3 of Heated Rivalry!
You can follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. You can follow Emily on all platforms at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail on TikTok at @fabigail11.
Cold Open And Quick Banter
SPEAKER_01You f heard me, Hollander. Heard me, Hollander. I'm no freaking out. I'm freaking out. I watched that so many times.
Show Intro And CTA
SPEAKER_01Welcome to the Redirect Podcast. My name is Abigail Freshley. And I'm Emily Rojas.
SPEAKER_02The Redirect Podcast is the show where we shift the conversation back to books. We discuss themes for some of our favorite books and how those themes show up in our real lived experiences.
SPEAKER_01On today's bonus episode, we are recapping episode three of Heathen Rivalry. But before we get to that, we're here.
SPEAKER_02We're here on a non-scheduled day. And so in return, you should give us a five-star review. Let us know that you love the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And yeah, smash five stars. Let us know that you love the show.
SPEAKER_01You can also share our show with a friend. Sharing or no, no. You can also follow us on Instagram and Blue Sky at redirect podcast. You can follow Emily on all platforms at Emily Rojas Reads and me on TikTok at Fabigal11. And if you really, really love the show, consider sharing our show with a friend. Because sharing our show with a band is the by far the best way to grow our community of book-loving nerds. And even if they're not into the show, we're gonna be, it was clear that the listeners really glommed on to the heated rivalry recap. Yeah. And so that became the growth of that episode was immediate. And so response. So we will be recapping. We've message received, we will be recapping all the episodes of heated rivalry as they come out. So at least share that with a friend. Yeah. Yeah. It's a movement that's taking over the internet.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, Heated Rivalry Craze is sweeping the nation and our podcast included. And man, what a bummer that we have to do this.
SPEAKER_01I know. So hard. Well, it has been well, it can it genuinely was kind of hard to wait to record this with you because I have been out of town. I haven't been able to record. It's Wednesday now that we're recording. The new episode comes out Friday. Yeah. Or Thursday night. Yeah, depending on when you want to. So um so anyway, here we are. We're finally getting a chance to talk about it. We have been talking about heated rivalry a lot. Yeah. Offline. Correct. We haven't talked about this constantly, actually.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I was gonna say we haven't really shared our thoughts per se on this episode, so I feel like we're unspoiled, but we have been near near exclusively talking about heated rivalry
Why Recap Episode Three
SPEAKER_02off the air. Which is it's just yeah, I used to pray for times like this, you know. So God bless America, God bless Canada, God bless Russia, I guess. Not at the bus, crave Canada. Also, did you know? Did you guys know in Uab Gil that this show was partially funded by Canadian taxpayer dollars because there's like all these arts, you know, grants. Thank you, Canada.
SPEAKER_01Oh Canada.
SPEAKER_02Oh Canada. Exactly. I love you. Thank you. So thank you, Canada. God bless Canada. Um let's not even say God bless America, just God bless Canada. Yeah, okay.
SPEAKER_01God bless you. So yeah, okay, so what was your experience? I watched this on my phone in the airport in LAX Delta Terminal, waiting to board the plane and the very end of it on the plane, because I got the heads up from you that this episode would be a little bit more plane safe.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, this one just because I felt like the the scenes of of note were quite dark for the most part. Yeah. So and they're they weren't as it wasn't as it wasn't as long and detailed as possibly episodes one and two. So I felt like it was a safe one to tune into, uh things considered. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01And you watched at home? I watched at home. Um, I'm gonna redact this. That's getting believed. Okay, how many times have you watched the episode, do you think?
SPEAKER_00This one I've watched this one twice. Just now I did watch it on my TV.
SPEAKER_01All three episodes multiple times at this point. I'm not even gonna hold you.
SPEAKER_02No, I have watched the first two multiple times, and then I have watched this one only twice, unfortunately. I wanted to start for some reason I was thinking we were recording at three my time today, or like later in the day. So I wanted to do a full rewatch, and then I realized I only had an hour, so I just did a rewatch on of the third episode. But I did want to start from the beginning, so I might do that.
SPEAKER_01The episode opens in New York, and Scott Hunter. It episodes opens in the 2014 Olympics. The 2014 Olympics. Correct.
SPEAKER_02Right, so it picks up. It opens, opens, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Yes, it opens open where Shane's experience was. Yes. And then now he's seeing Scott and Scott and Vonnie.
SPEAKER_02Yes, yeah. So you would have that conversation. Should we have a meta conversation first or should we save it for the end of like what we thought about this episode, how it fits into the series? Would you prefer to do that after we recap the whole thing?
SPEAKER_01Just curious.
SPEAKER_02No, let's do it first.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_02So what did you think of this episode?
Meta Take: Stakes And Adaptation
SPEAKER_01Yeah, thank you. Okay, so we'll just take out what I said before.
SPEAKER_02No, no, you're good. I was just, yeah, I have so many thoughts, but I'm like, okay, where do I put that?
SPEAKER_01So yeah, okay. I'm curious. Um, well, I'm glad that we got it. Um, I think it's important for the overarching story, and also because I feel like things have been moving really fast in the first two episodes, and I'm like, slow down. Like, I need to microdose the Hollinov of it all. And um it's I liked so I also reread Heated Rivalry, and I noticed there was multiple like of Scott's parts that were in the show that were assigned to just random people in the original book. And so I liked, okay, we're building up his character, like we're obviously he's gonna play a big role coming up soon. But um, I liked it, I was pleased with it, and I wasn't mad about it. I I think some people were like, Why are we getting this episode of side characters? But I didn't see it that way. What about you? Yeah, I agree.
SPEAKER_02I actually expected to hate this because I I really hate the game changer book. I didn't like Scott and Kiv at all. Um, to be honest with you guys, I I would have DNF'd it if I hadn't been in sort of a uh goals-induced reading haze at the time. And it it made me put off reading Heated Rivalry for a long time because I really did not like this book. So that's my disclaimer. But I really liked this episode. I think it works better as like an aside to the Shane and Ilya story than its own standalone story. Um, I still don't love the like insta-love of it all personally, like that just doesn't connect for me. But um, yeah, I think it works really well, and I'm interested to see how much more they incorporate this in the story moving forward. And I think like something I've been thinking a lot about with this episode is like book readers, and uh myself included, are hesitant to treat this show or any adaptation as its own thing. But there are people who have not read this book, there are people coming to the show, many people coming to the show with no context, there are people coming to the show with no context for like the hockey world, and so you have to set the stakes somehow. And Shane and Ilya are never they're not at the point yet to have the conversation of like, well, you know, we we could be in a relationship, but we can't because it's really dangerous for us, or like it's we'll lose our careers. Like, they can't do that because they're not even thinking in terms of a relationship at this point. So you almost do need Scott Hunter in the context of just the show alone. If you're coming in with zero context and you can't read their minds, like you can't read Shane and Elya's minds and them thinking, Well, I maybe I like him, but I can't do anything about it. Uh-huh. So you really need this episode, I think, to in the show world set the stakes. Um, and they do that by like harping again on the Olympics. Hey, it's really dangerous for to be gay in Russia right now or whatever, and then showing Scott's journey. Um, I think it it I think overall, when we see all six episodes, this will be a really important episode um to like set those stakes and be really clear about what's an obstacle preventing them from being together. And then of course the payoff, which uh spoilers for the future, but what Scott will choose to do, yeah, will be great.
SPEAKER_01So But I think it's also important for Shane and Ilya and to like explain to the viewers what it looks like to be at the top of your game, but a few years senior, and kind of like the trajectory of where Shane and Ilya are going and why like what you're saying, why the stakes feel so high to them.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um I did think I was less like attached to their story because
Scott And Kip: Power And Vulnerability
SPEAKER_01I also didn't love the Insta-Love of it all, and it's hard to ignore the extreme power imbalance um between between Scott and Kip. Um, Scott being like an extremely rich, successful hockey player, and Kip being like an art history grad student, you know, working at a smoothie shop. So it's hard to ignore that power imbalance.
SPEAKER_02For sure. And that is even more so, I would say, in the book. Like money is a really big um like fraught topic between them and the book, um, which doesn't seem to be as plaated. I mean, in this version, he gets a full ride to grad school. Um, and in the book, I believe Scott like wants to pay off all of his student loans and just like pay for him to like not have to work so many jobs, and that's like a big argument between them. So I like that they cut that out, to be honest, because that was part of what I didn't like either. Um yeah, and it's like it's weird though, because it's like, okay, yes, there is that power dynamic, but also Scott in a weird way, and now we're getting into just recapping the episode, um, but Scott in a way, like, also feels like very vulnerable because he's like, he has this impression that if he came out or if he was outed, he could never play sports again and he'd be letting people down, and like all he'd lose his family um after already losing his family. So, anyways, um, shall we get into the episode?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, let's get into it.
SPEAKER_02Okay, um, but I'm glad we both liked it. That's all I'll say. I really liked the episode. Okay, so we start at the Olympics, zooming in, and then we go four months earlier. Um, and Scott is out for a run, and I guess we're supposed to believe he's one boss. Okay, but he runs like people. He runs like an insane person.
SPEAKER_01That is not Why are you running like that? That is not a real athlete. That's also okay, so Zach has been watching the show uh-huh for a word. Sure, sure, sure. Research. And he was like he said, he said, okay, you want me to believe that people didn't know Scott Hunter was gay? He was like, he's the gayest looking motherfucker I've ever seen in my life.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01But whatever. Okay, so we're setting that aside. He's listening to a hockey podcast, yes, or like a radio show, and it's like Scott Hunter sucks this year, and he's already gonna be the captain of he's already been named the captain of Sochi Olympic for the Olympics. And he runs into a smoothie shop called Strawberry. Straw Plus Berry. Straw Plus Berry. Very hilarious. And Kip is working the counter.
SPEAKER_02This was also so like so goofy. Like he's he's like, hey, how do we convey to the audience that he's like an overworked, tired, aspiring art student?
SPEAKER_01Oh, he's sleeping.
SPEAKER_02Sleeping with this giant book that just says art history on it. Like so much fun. I loved it. Um, but yeah, so then Scott's like goo-goo eyes instantly.
SPEAKER_01They're kind of googly-eyeing each other, and then he's like, Well, what should I get? And he's like, Well, the blueberry over Brooklyn something, something, but
Smoothie Shop Meet-Cute
SPEAKER_01with an extra banana. Okay. A little on the nose there, Kip. A little on the nose. Yeah. Here's what I want to say about the smoothie. That was the most watery. It looked so gross. It looked so gross. You're telling me you had an extra banana in it, and it's like there's no way. Yeah, there's no way. Yeah. You are down astronomical for this man if you have to keep coming back. Correct. Like the smoothies are not your smoothie.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. The smoothie looked horrible. Yeah, I wrote down this quote. Kip says we have very decent smoothies with like very stupid names, basically. And I'd like, okay, Kip, okay. Like, these are not decent smoothies. I'm looking at them. I'm doing the eyeball test. If someone serves me this, it was banana juice.
SPEAKER_01It's that's all it was water.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. I would like to talk to the props person who was responsible for sourcing this smoothie. So, anyways, didn't look so good, but that's even more proof that they love each other because he does he does uh act like he really likes a smoothie.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and then he tips him a lot. Yes. And then he leaves, and then what's his coworker's name? Like Maria.
SPEAKER_02Yes, Maria. She girl. Yeah. Yeah. And then this dude girl comes in and he's like, hey, what the hell? Is that Scott Hunter? Who's Scott Hunter? They're like, who's Scott Hunter? And so that's how they find out he's famous and he's a hockey player. Um cut two.
SPEAKER_01They are like all watching all the little girly pops. I loved Kip's Friends. That was one of the highlights of the episode for me. Yes. At the at the bar, they're watching the hockey game. Yes. And it's like, I mean, that's so relatable. Like, if I like that one time that I made eye contact with Josh Hutcherson while we were while I was walking my dog, I was like, wait, are we in love? And like I would be telling all my friends and be like, okay, let's all go, yeah, exactly.
SPEAKER_02No, totally. Um, yeah, so first of all, I I did like, do this is does this exist? Do people have like a neighborhood bar that they just go hang out with their friends every single day after work? Because that is what I was led to believe that my 30s would be like.
SPEAKER_01And I was led to believe that I would live in an apartment over above a bar or a coffee shop. Yeah, either one. Yeah. And that all of my friends also that my friends would be coming over for breakfast every day. Correct.
unknownRight.
SPEAKER_01Anyways, whatever. They live in New York. Maybe if you live in New York, sound off. Do you have breakfast with your friends every day?
SPEAKER_02Should we move to New York, anyways? Um no, never. But I think also, too, like it sets the stage early that Kip has like a lot of support. He has his dad, he has a lot of friends who really care about him, and he's like his dad.
SPEAKER_01I love Kip's dad. Yeah. I loved seeing the softness and the tenderness between Kip and his dad, and just like the I love you so much, Saman. Like he's like calling him sweetie and honey, and it's just so sweet. And like they're watching hockey together, and his dad is like, Love you, love you, honey. Yeah. Good night. So sweet. So sweet. I loved seeing that depicted.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. I love that too. So yeah, they're at the bar, and one of his friends, uh, or Kip says he's definitely not gay, and then one of his friends says, Make him gay then. Like
Friends, Dad, And Support Systems
SPEAKER_02so uh yeah, and then then uh Scott comes back the next day and he's like, Hey, I had a great game and I'm really superstitious.
SPEAKER_00When I he's like, when I find something that works, I repeat it and then perfect it. So I'll have another blueberry banana over Brooklyn with an extra banana or whatever.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_01And he's like, Okay.
SPEAKER_02And her his uh coworker Maria also says at this point, this is awesome, which I just love. Like it's just so fun. Honestly, that is peak, like watching if you like have a friend who likes someone and you're like watching that, and like that is such a good feeling.
SPEAKER_01Like, it's almost better than having a crush on your yourself.
SPEAKER_02Because it's like, oh my god, like my friend's such a loser, but I love that.
SPEAKER_01When we were in college, um me and Megan went to spring break with some friends, and after we agreed to go to spring break with these people, we found out that her crush from freshman year was also going on the spring break because he was a mutual friend, and so they had never talked, but like he was going to be at the spring break. And so, like, the cars are going together, and we get to like the hotel where we're staying, and they get out, and I'm like, this is me, this is me. Like, this is amazing. I'm watching my roommate, yes, this guy she hasn't shut up over, and then they actually started dating. Well, she's married to a different guy now, but it wasn't it's so was impressive that they actually started dating. Yes, correct. I get that. The fact that she was able to translate that from like crazy crush to actually dating, but anyways, I feel you, Maria. That's my point. I love Maria, yes.
SPEAKER_02Um, okay, so then eventually, like, whatever, Scott comes back, and this is when he is like, Hey, I have some emails to answer. Can I hang out here for a while? Which I'm like, that's the most insane line ever because you're a professional hockey player. I know those guys do not have like work emails to answer. Nobody's emailing them.
SPEAKER_01An agent.
SPEAKER_02Like, nobody is emailing you, and he's just sitting there.
SPEAKER_01And then again, they show we show Kip's POV. He's looking at the like the POS system, by the way, that he's like supposed to be checking people out on these smoothies, and he's like scrolling and it's like arthistory.com. Yeah, it's just like so goofy.
SPEAKER_02I loved it. Yeah. Anyway, so then they have this uh serial killer conversation, which I thought, like this is whacked out, but I actually do understand you, Scott Hunter, because this is something I would say, where you're like, in my mind, this actually made a lot of sense, and now I'm saying it out loud, and all of a sudden I'm implying that I like might be a serial killer, and like you can't stop the conversation now, and you're like, okay, let me just be normal about this.
SPEAKER_01Well, his whole point was like he was trying to say, Oh, I'm not like I'm not that obsessive. I'm not obsessive enough to be a serial killer. I took a test. Yeah. And then you're immediately like, why did you have to take
Game Night And The Lonely Captain
SPEAKER_01a test to know if you're a serial killer or not?
SPEAKER_02Right. I read a lot of crime books, don't worry.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it was crazy. He was like, at least a spree killer. Hello. I was just it was a lot. Stop! Stop at this point, I I checked in with myself and I said, I'm gonna use the context that I have, and I know from context that these two characters have gone through a machine and they started as Steve and Bucky. They were a stucky fanfic. Okay, and now they've gone through the machine, they've come out as Scott and Kip. Could you see the reflection of Cap and Bucky in these characters?
SPEAKER_02Okay, I wanted to actually talk about this because I just recently read an interview with Rachel Reed, and I can't tell if this is like uh IP damage control or if this is a true story, but according to her, she had the story written as Kip and Scott first. And then she was like, her husband was like encouraging her to put her like writing out there, and so she found AO3 and was like didn't know that you could do original works, and so she was like, I'm gonna retcon this to be Steven Bucky and all these other Marvel characters, and then post it and see what people think, and then like eventually take it down and publish it or whatever if people like it. And so, according to her, she said she wish she had never done that because she's like, This they're definitely not, she's Like, I can see Scott Hunter is definitely has the Captain America thing, but Kip has always been Kip. Um, that was her words. Interesting. But I'm like, is that true? Or are you just saying that because it's like, yeah, I mean, I understand, like, not wanting to get like into weird legal territory and be like, yeah, this is you know, stucky, stucky, but that's what she's doing.
SPEAKER_01I don't know. I think Scott gives Captain America. Yes. Also with like the whole orphan thing, like his backstory is that his parents are dead, like it does make sense, right? And all this responsibility. I don't see Kip as much as because to me, Bucky is more like brooding and hot and serious. And yeah, Kip doesn't give that, but Scott is almost like a physical, like physicality-wise, yeah, they do look like Scott.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I can see that they do look like Steven Bucky, yeah, but not like really their personality. So yeah, I don't know. I can believe either way, like I totally see that being true or not. So, anyways, where are we?
SPEAKER_01So, yeah, they have the serial killer conversation, and then he's like, Hey, I actually have tickets to my game. Like, would you want to come? Yeah, yeah. And he's like, wait, really? And he's like, Yeah, sure. So he goes and he brings his friends, not Maria.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, Elena. Someone's on line said this is the first time Scott's ever had someone in the audience cheering for him. Go home, wrap it up. I hate whoever told me that because yeah, like he skates by twice and he's like looking up at him and waving at him, and it's like you just get this, like Scott's just so alone. I know I feel bad for Kip later, but right now I feel bad for Scott.
Hollander Confrontation And Fight
SPEAKER_02Because it's like he has nobody they you know, he really has no one.
SPEAKER_01Are you gonna wave back again? The best friends. Oh no. I mean, I would so much rather be Elena than Kip in the situation. It's just way more fun when you're watching this happen.
SPEAKER_02Also, yeah, if one of my friends could fall in love with an NHL player and they're giving us their seats, like that's another dream, you know what I mean? Like truly, yeah. So keep up the good work.
SPEAKER_01Anyway, he does this little awkward wave. He's like, hey, it's just so cute. All right, so that happens, and then what happens next?
SPEAKER_02Uh at that game, he's playing uh Ilya, so then there's this little inner cut scene.
unknownOkay.
SPEAKER_01Oh, okay. So you're playing Boston, and you see Ilya, they're both captains of a team. Ilya is like, after they beat the Rangers, is like, I love you, I love you, I love you.
SPEAKER_02Which by the way, I'm like, That's just you're so endearing, my Russian princess. Like he is like so soft and loving except for like Yes, he can see it so easily except to Shane.
SPEAKER_01Yes, correct. So then what does he say to Shane? He's like, um Shane's like play better to Ilya.
SPEAKER_02Oh, he's like uh go f yourself or something, and Ilya's like, oh, but he's better when you're gonna be like, so cute.
SPEAKER_01Okay, then cut two. Next night, he's in Montreal and they're playing, and then Shane skates over and he's like the stupidest talk ever. He was like, Hey, next time we play, I hope you said show up. And it's like not good. And then he goes, Scoopyo guy and spits, and then Shane goes, true and spits, and then he goes, You're starting to sound like him. Cra Diabolical, straight up diabolical. The craziest thing. Like he's like, Hey man, you don't play hockey good. Ha ha ha. And then he's like, Hey, I know about your your forbidden gay situationship that's been going on for years. And then Shane's like, Shane's this is this is my favorite. This has been on my head in a loop. Shane goes, What'd you say? And he goes, You fing me Hollander. He heard me Hollander. I'm freaking out. I'm freaking out. I watched that so many times. Yes, yes. You furn me Hollander.
SPEAKER_02Uh yeah, and then they fight. And then Nouncer's like, Wow, this is weird. These two guys never fight. All of a sudden, like they must have some personal beef with each other.
SPEAKER_01And so then, like, Shane and Scott are like ad-loving at each other, like the actors are. And have you seen the thing where people like read Shane's lips, like what he was saying? Yes. He was like, You're 40.
SPEAKER_02You're 45. It's just so good. It's so good. I love them. I love that we got that little glimpse of them too, because it's like, oh, there they are.
SPEAKER_01And also Shane being like, ha ha ha, but don't talk about my man. Yeah, yeah. And also the fact that he said, he didn't even sound, you're starting to sound like Rosenoff. He said, You're starting to sound like him.
SPEAKER_02And he knows instantly who you're oh my diabolical. Diabolical.
SPEAKER_01That was you heard me, Hollander. So good. Alright.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. That whole sequence was just
The Gala, Boundaries, And Secrecy
SPEAKER_02so good. Okay. Okay.
SPEAKER_03And then we got our little Shane and Iliad for the episode.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Kip is getting ready for this like catering event he's working. And my note was why is Kip so jacked? Because he allegedly works like six jobs. And he's a grad student. There's no way. Why does he have to go his abs are crazy? His legs are crazy. Like we get him full muscled. Uh in an I get it, like he's an actor, but Kip, my guy, your your smoothie shop. It's not the math is not mathing.
SPEAKER_01It's not mathing.
SPEAKER_02What is in those smoothies? Maybe that's what we need to find out. Maybe they taste bad, but they're doing something. So, anyways, then he goes to the catering event.
SPEAKER_01He opens the door, he's late for the catering event, he's flustered. He has a little tray of like mini quiches. He steps out, he turns, and of course, right into Scott Hunter. Right into mini quiche all over his tux.
SPEAKER_02And he's like, And it's like, what are the odds? Like, oh, so embarrassing. And then this lady's like being condescending to him and whatever. And then after.
SPEAKER_01Well then Kip is like, or Scott is like, hey, do you want to like meet me at this Mexican restaurant nearby?
SPEAKER_02Yes. And this seemed to me like I got so emotional watching it because I just imagined what's going through Scott's mind and how difficult this must have been just to ask him to like go get food with him. And like I just imagine himself like working up the courage and being like, I think there's a something between us, and I can't stay away from this guy, even though for like 40 years now or however old he's supposed to be. I think he's supposed to be like 30 or something, but for it for his whole career, he's been like denying himself this thing. And then he finally does work up the courage just to ask him out, and he says yes. Um and then the line's really long, and and then Kip gives him like also the opportunity to back out. He's like, hey, we don't have to do this, you know. We can just see each other at the smoothie shop. And Scott's like, no, you should come back to my place and we'll order food. And so they go.
SPEAKER_01They go Okay, so they have a night together, and then in the morning, Kip is like, makes him a smoothie. Or don't you? Well, first Kip tried to leave that night.
SPEAKER_02And he's like, Can you stay? And then he's like, I just wrote, Why am I crying again? I just love Scott Hunter. I'm sorry. I do love him, and I feel for him, and I'm like sad for him, and I want him to like be okay.
SPEAKER_01So Yasmuse then wakes up in the morning, Kip is not next to him, but he's in the kitchen making a blueberry banana smoothie. Yeah. And he goes in there and he's like crazy. He's like, I actually don't want you to leave ever. Um, I want you to stay here. Which is giving a lot. He's like, I know this is intense. Yeah. Here is where I diverge a little bit. Okay, let's hear it. I think he says right then, I can't come out. Like, I like here's the deal. I want you to be around all the time. I really, really like you. I like being around you. I want you to be here when I get home from practices. But he's honest from the get-go. Like, I cannot come out. Yeah. And he
Birthday Window Scene And Heartbreak
SPEAKER_01is clear about that. And it feels like I mean, Kip kind of knew the vibes. I agree to an extent. Like, I get it. I know that it must be horrible. But you also knew what the arrangement was.
SPEAKER_02Totally. I think, um, yes, I agree. I think I think they're both going through actually a very similar journey, which is they both thought they were capable of something and are finding out they're not. And I think Scott for years thought he was capable of just staying closeted until he retires, and then he would have this happy life. And now he's met Kip and he's realizing he's not really capable of that, and so he's on one path. And Kip, I think, thought, like, I really like this guy. I can stay, like, go back into the closet in some ways. But then when he realizes, like, okay, well, that means I can't really have the same relationship with my friends, and I'm isolated from my dad, so he's like coming on a similar place. And I think at the end, not to skip ahead, but like I realized, like, they didn't really break up, they're just kind of taking some time apart, and I think they're both gonna get to that place where I think Kip is gonna come back. Um, I again I'm assuming this will diverge from what happens in the book, so I'm speculating, but I think Kip is gonna come back and be like, okay, I like give me some more freedom. Like, let me tell my friends and family or something, but I we don't have to like be out out, and I think Scott obviously ultimately is going to realize that he's willing to come out for him. But I agree with you. I think like, yeah, Kip knew what he was getting into, but I do just think they're kind of on these parallel paths of like, well, I thought I was okay with something, but sometimes you don't know until you get into it that, like, oh, I'm actually not okay with this, like I said I was. Yeah, so that was my thought. But also with the in this conversation, Scott says, I've never brought anyone back here ever, which is so sad to me. And too many people depend on me for too much. I thought I would wait, I guess. So that was really depressing to me.
SPEAKER_01It was hard, and then we get a montage of like Kip and Scott's relationship.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, which again, this blows my mind.
SPEAKER_01Like, chill out, you guys, but also like that sounds like a great scenario. You just get to chill in this apartment, do your home.
SPEAKER_02Super nice apartment. You're like way closer to her.
SPEAKER_01Your hot NHL boyfriend comes home from practice.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, there's food all the time. Like, come
Predictions For Episodes Four To Six
SPEAKER_02on, yeah, stocked kitchen. Yeah, I get it. Like, I might move in as well with Scott Hunter.
SPEAKER_01I saw someone on TikTok being like me if Scott Hunter wanted me to move in and be a sugar baby and stay in the closet, and they were like, had their bags. Like, yep, whatever.
SPEAKER_02I'm coming in. Um, yeah, and then blah blah blah montage, and then um Kip gives him the banana socks as like a good luck charm for his away games.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, which was really he was like, Well, what if you had the smoothie with you everywhere you went, and I saw these at a bodegan or mining view. And then around that same time, we're getting conversations between Elena and Kip, where Elena is like, guess this what's going on. My queen. My queen, Elena. She's like, Come on, man, like this sucks. I'm skeptical of him. And also, she establishes that Kip has agreed to be her date to this like Gala that she has, this fundraiser that she has going on in a few weeks.
SPEAKER_02And Scott will be there.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, Scott will be there.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I love her by the way. Um, I just love her so much. Uh also around this time, Kit has this like lengthy phone conversation with his dad, and I really like this scene, especially the second time I watched it, because I was thinking how like not only do you get okay, he has this like super close relationship with his dad, because it's just this really endearing, like fun conversation. But also he's like making the call from Scott's like dark, lonely apartment, and how like he's become more isolated by through this relationship, and it seems to set the tone really well. Like, I'm staying with Elena, yeah, and it's like sad. Okay, so then they go to the fundraiser Gala thing, and um Elena's there, and I love her. Yeah, it's everybody needs a friend like Elena.
SPEAKER_01Elena's like, let me dance with Scott, and then she's telling Scott, Kip deserves sunshine, and so do you. Yeah, deserves to literally be in the light.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah. And she said he's crazy about you, he's also miserable, and she's like, Are you miserable too? And that reminded me too of I think later in the book in Heated Rivalry, when Shane asks Ilya, like, does it feel like agony for you too or something? And then Ilya's like, No, not anymore, like it used to, but not anymore. Um crying. So uh yeah, then he asks, it's his birthday coming up, and he asks Scott, like very chill, casual, like you could just come as my friend, you know. Like, people know you come get smoothies for me, like we could just be friends, and Scott can't even do that, and it's like, oh, just so sad. Kip. This is when I start to feel sad for Kip because I'm like, oh, that's so hard. Like, again, like I think, yeah, you knew he wasn't gonna come out, but I wouldn't have necessarily thought that meant, well, you can't even come to my birthday party as my friend, or like I can't even tell my dad about you. You can't even just like be your lot of restrictions.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, like as the guy who buys smoothies from me, is what he says. Right, right. Gutting. Yeah. And so it it ends in another like super depressing way, where you see Scott watching Kip having his birthday party with his friends, yeah, like from the street outside. So it was like two episodes in a row that ended like really pain. Really sadly.
SPEAKER_02I'm gonna go out on a limb. I don't think episode four is gonna be any better. Really? I don't know. Okay, so let me look. So they just released the stills. Wait, do you have anything else to say about episode three while you pull this up?
SPEAKER_01I really enjoyed it. Um I'm just everything that comes out from the show, I just eat it up.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. So we have the tuna melt scene, we have the like club scene with Rose. Because look, is this not giving tuna melt?
SPEAKER_01It is giving tuna melt.
SPEAKER_02Also, them sleeping the night together, probably. Which doesn't happen in the book, so I'm assuming that's a a diversion, and then we have like Ilyo with Svetlana at a club, and then we have Rose at a club. God, it's gonna be a packed episode. So we're probably gonna get we're gonna get like Stanley Cup, Shane. There's a lot of Rose stills.
SPEAKER_01He doesn't win the Stanley Cup during this time, does he?
SPEAKER_02He does, it's like vaguely mentioned that he has won it twice in the book. So um so it's not like explicitly.
SPEAKER_01So this episode coming up is probably gonna be um The Rose, Tuna Belt Club, all that stuff, and then probably the episode after that, I would imagine, is um when Scott comes out.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. No, because episode six is the cottage, that's what it's called. So what's episode five gonna be? What's up? Hold on, what's the title of episode five? So I think this one they have the tune of scene, and then after that, he starts making dating
Spin-Offs, Seasons, And Wish List
SPEAKER_02Rose, and then there's all that back and forth, and there's a club, and then Rose is like, hey, I think you're gay, probably. It's probably gonna end with that conversation, it's probably gonna end with that.
SPEAKER_01And then they break up, they stay as friends, and then Oh, and then there's also the next all-star game where they're together again after he's done dating. So the all-star game is probably gonna be in five.
SPEAKER_02That's what I would guess. Oh, some Teen Vogue articles still show All-Star Game takes place in episode five. Yeah. So that means the all-star game has to include the all-star okay, episode five has to include the all-star game, Ilya's dad dying, the phone call, Shane getting Scott coming out. Okay. So Scott will probably come out at the end of episode five, and then Ilya's gonna say, I'm I'll come to the cottage, and then episode six will be the cottage.
SPEAKER_01I am so sad already that we only have like three episodes left.
SPEAKER_02I know. Like, just give me a million episodes of this. I think we are. I think we have to. That's it's all but all but guaranteed. Um, I think like the success of the show is crazy. Also, uh last night's um Montreal Canadians uh hockey game was Pride Night, and they played the trailer for Heated Rivalry before the start of the game. Hello! And also Scott Hunter was there, whatever his name is Francois. So it's happening. It's happening. You know, we're reaching we're reaching peak uh virality. I think there will be a season two. I think it's all but guaranteed. That would be my guess. And I hope I would love season two and like I would love three seasons, and I would love the long game to be like split up between two seasons. That would be my preference.
SPEAKER_01Do you want some of the other side characters, like the other books with like uh what's his face and what's his face?
SPEAKER_02I only want um, yeah, I don't care about him. Honestly, I'm sorry to you guys who love him. I don't care about him. I only want the the role model book, which is because it happens concurrently to the long game, pretty much. Um, so I would like that. Like that could be a more of a focus in season two and like what's going on with Ilya, and then the long game could kind of pick up, and that could be season three. That would be my dream. And if if Rachel Reed wants to write another book and there's a season four, then who am I to object? Who am I to do? I just think like no, actually, you know what I was thinking the chemistry between them. Like, let's not waste that. What were you thinking?
SPEAKER_01I was actually thinking, okay, season two is the long game, and then I was thinking a Christmas mini special, Time to Shine. Don't even, don't even. I was thinking like a holiday adaptation. You that one could even be just a movie of Time to Shine. Time to shine would be a great movie. It would be a great movie.
SPEAKER_02I love it. Yeah, someone might say Time to Shine is lame, and I wanted to fight them.
SPEAKER_01I just reread it. You're wrong. Casey and Landon are so they're so dear to me.
SPEAKER_02They are so dear to me. Oh, Casey. Casey, especially, actually, both of them especially. I love them both. You guys should read the the Time to Shine if you haven't already. Anyways, closing thoughts. So episode four, we're getting Hollander. We're getting uh Rose, Ilya finding out about Rose, Tuna Melts, Stanley Cup, uh God only knows what else. I can't wait. Wow, genetic. If you had told me, like I can't explain, like it's gonna give me a heart condition watching that scene because like the way it makes me feel in my chest is like. Which thing? What are you talking about? Wow, genetic. Like, what are you talking about? That he's just saying the words wow genetic. But it's just so much that's what I'm saying. We need multiple seasons.
SPEAKER_01No, what's gonna slay me? What's gonna slay me is the Russian conversation. No. When he's like, and I think I'm in love with you, and I don't know what to do about it.
SPEAKER_02No, I'm not ready for that.
SPEAKER_01I know.
SPEAKER_02And I'm so excited to see it. I can't wait to see how it plays out. I'm sick. I'm actually ill, but anyways. Tune in next time.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean we'll have a we'll have another recap episode sooner than this one came out.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, probably next Tuesday. Yeah. Or sooner. Or sooner. Um, also to see the Kip and Scott kiss. Yeah. Now that I know them and love them, I think that will be really, really special in the when he wins the Stanley Cup.
Taylor Swift, Edits, And Fan Theories
SPEAKER_02Yeah. And he kisses them. That's my dream. That is the one thing I liked about Game Changer, and I'm always searching for because it's Giving the Alchemy by Taylor Swift. Someone make that edit, guys, when that episode comes out.
SPEAKER_01That is so true. I just love that. Pip and Scott are so alchemy. They are. They are. Someone's been looking for that ever since. Like the most Hollandov song ever is Dress by Taylor Swift.
unknownCorrect.
SPEAKER_01Secret moments. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Our secret moments in a crowded room. They've got no idea.
SPEAKER_01There's an indentation. And the shape of you.
SPEAKER_00The shape of you. Juju back on me.
SPEAKER_01I'm so proud. I don't know. And then it reminded me in the long game. Spoilers for people who haven't read it, but when uh they're like at the club and Shane knows that he could tell Ilya really wants to like hold hands or like touch him or something, and he just puts one hand on a small of his back. Don't even talk to me about the long game.
SPEAKER_02Don't even crowd me.
SPEAKER_01It's giving, it's giving, it's giving Kayla. Got no idea. Yeah, don't talk to me about Kayla. Hey, question. What would you rather know the truth about? You were given two options, you can only know the truth about one. Okay. Carly Kloss and Taylor Swift. Sure. Louie Tomlinson and Harry Styles. Carly Kloss and Taylor Swift. Really?
SPEAKER_02Because something happened there. You know what I mean?
SPEAKER_01No, I but I think even more strongly in my heart that something happened between Louie and Harry.
SPEAKER_02I get that. I just think like either way, there was some kind of falling out. You know what I mean? Like they now they went from being such diehard best friends pretty extremely to not talking at all and Carly Claw sitting in like the cheap seats at the Aer store. So I'm just curious about that more than anything. But I do understand that is a that is a tough decision to make.
SPEAKER_01My hands are shaking from folding back from you.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Literally, see you guys next week.
SPEAKER_01Okay, we'll see you guys in a few days. Oh wait, okay. If you guys have any thoughts, you can email us at the Hey, have you been
Closing Notes And Listener Email
SPEAKER_01checking that? Because I was listening back to our episode and I was like, wait, if we say No, let me go check on it later.
SPEAKER_02But yeah, if you have any thoughts, discussion, don't come in here and tell me time to shine is lean because I'm almost about to block this girl on TikTok for telling me that. But anything else, we do welcome. Okay, that's it. Fairly well. Bye. Bye.