Same. I didn’t expect the finale to sneak up like that at all. I caught myself doing the same thing—completely disarmed by how tender it got once everything finally settled. There’s something about watching men let their guard down and choose each other that just lands, even if you weren’t prepared to feel feelings about a hockey show.
I liked "Heated Rivalry" though it did feel a bit like soft porn at times. It doesn't hurt that the guys are gorgeous. I also went into it without knowing anything about the books. It was just all over Twitter as the new "gay hockey drama".
What's really interesting is how many straight guys seem to be into the show. There are entire hockey podcasts where the guys are watching and recapping episodes. I don't think a gay romance would have expected to get that kind of audience.
I had the same initial reaction. It does flirt with soft-porn energy early on, and the casting certainly doesn’t hurt. I also came in cold, no familiarity with the books, just the sense that this was “the gay hockey show everyone was talking about.”
What really surprised me, and you’re right to flag this, is the straight male audience. I don’t think that happens by accident. Once you get past the surface, the show is actually doing something pretty traditional with masculinity. Discipline, restraint, loyalty, knowing who you are under pressure. Those are recognizable values in sports culture, regardless of sexuality.
In a strange way, I think that’s why it travels. It’s a gay romance, yes, but it’s also a story about athletes and identity that doesn’t feel like it’s lecturing anyone. It just lets people watch and decide for themselves.
Excellent post! You nailed it on the head. What starts as a series of brief encounters ends up being deeper and full of heart.
I just finished the season a couple of nights ago. I loved it and I cried. Beautiful.
Same. I didn’t expect the finale to sneak up like that at all. I caught myself doing the same thing—completely disarmed by how tender it got once everything finally settled. There’s something about watching men let their guard down and choose each other that just lands, even if you weren’t prepared to feel feelings about a hockey show.
I liked "Heated Rivalry" though it did feel a bit like soft porn at times. It doesn't hurt that the guys are gorgeous. I also went into it without knowing anything about the books. It was just all over Twitter as the new "gay hockey drama".
What's really interesting is how many straight guys seem to be into the show. There are entire hockey podcasts where the guys are watching and recapping episodes. I don't think a gay romance would have expected to get that kind of audience.
I had the same initial reaction. It does flirt with soft-porn energy early on, and the casting certainly doesn’t hurt. I also came in cold, no familiarity with the books, just the sense that this was “the gay hockey show everyone was talking about.”
What really surprised me, and you’re right to flag this, is the straight male audience. I don’t think that happens by accident. Once you get past the surface, the show is actually doing something pretty traditional with masculinity. Discipline, restraint, loyalty, knowing who you are under pressure. Those are recognizable values in sports culture, regardless of sexuality.
In a strange way, I think that’s why it travels. It’s a gay romance, yes, but it’s also a story about athletes and identity that doesn’t feel like it’s lecturing anyone. It just lets people watch and decide for themselves.