Loved this so much! Shane is such a precious peanut & Ilya is such a fantastic rock for him. When Shane says this is his worst nightmare & Ilya immediately responding, "then maybe it's time to wake up, yes?" was so validating. He's acknowledging Shane's emotions but also reminding him he's strong and he can get through it.
I loved the article! It’s so accurate and explicits so well what I’ve thought and noticed while watching the series! It also gave me more insight on the mechanics of the representation, what makes it so good. I truly hope we’ll have more like this in the future !
This is absolutely the best analysis I have read about the characters and the ways in which they relate to each other. It explains the deep details I didn’t realize I was wanting to understand. I just knew it was as real in its portrayal of a relationship as anything I have seen on screen. Thank you for your insights and perspective.
This is an excellently written, detailed article and analysis. Well-done!
I had always read Ilya’s “you’re so boring” as “I would like you to be my safe space” but a) has no idea or ability to actually say that bc upbringing, language barrier, homophobia etc and b) isn’t quite sure how Shane would react if he did (although I think Shane would appreciate the clarity, even if he would still have to have all those internal conversations with himself about his sexuality)
Thank you very much for your comment ☺️😊. I think you can have different interpretations for the "boring" comment. Ilya is a multi-layered character. That's what makes him so interesting.
I very rarely cry but you truly got me to the verge of tears with this part:
"The show understands this distinction. It refuses diagnostic language not out of vagueness, but out of respect. Shane’s experience is not defined by terminology, but by the lifelong effort of trying to be legible in a world that was not built for him."
Love this! I was immediately drawn to Shane and I didn't know why, and didn't really think about it. Then my friend said, "of course you like the autistic one" and I was like what? oh!
I loved everything about this show, but Shane - and Hudson Williams’s portrayal of him - have stayed with me more than anything else. I was honestly so moved by his character, and you expressed my feelings perfectly. I loved this essay, and I hope Rachel, Jacob, and Hudson know how much Shane means to so many of us.
Love this analysis, especially how their different personalities and upbringing make them incredibly compatible but their polar communication styles made it impossible for them to actually reveal their feelings until years later, especially Ilya's bias toward subtlety. It kills me how Shane didn't realize Ilya was trying to give them a proper date with the ginger ale and tuna melt.
One tiny detail! I feel it's important to remember in the shower scene Ilya didn't make a sexual move until he noticed Shane's arousal. So yes it was a bold move but still consent-forward. Some people didn't notice that and thought he was doing it out of nowhere.
I actually didn't pick up on Shane's autism in the first or second episode. I thought Hudson was just a bad actor or that Shane was just very guarded. I'm not sure I can say I would have recognized it at all until the burger scene if I hadn't gone looking for an explanation on Reddit of whether or not Hudson was staying true to the character. It was there that I saw people talking about Hudson's portrayal of Shane's autism. I have interacted with people with autism but not enough to say I'm well-versed on how it displays differently. I think I'm just so used to seeing it portrayed a very specific kind of way in media that Shane being autistic never even crossed my mind. I hadn't realized I had preconceived notions about how it "should" be displayed in television/film until I watched Heated Rivalry. It was a humbling moment.
As an autistic person, I was always so frustrated by the portrayal of autism in the media. (There are a few good performances, Mel from The Pitt comes to my mind). But that's because most of the movies and tv shows are being written and directed and produced by neurotypical people. I'm not saying that a non-autistic person can't write autistic people, but I think you need to be sensitive about it, do research, talk and interact with autistic people. I only recognized Shane's autism immediatey, even only from the books, because I'm autistic. It's great that you recognized that there is a difference between stereotypes and authenticity. There is not "one way" in being autistic. Just like there is not "one way" in being gay or trans or Japanese. As long as people are open to learn about new experiences and be respectful, I'm happy. Shane's autism is a valid portrayal and many autistic people saw themselves in him. Let's just hope for the future that we will be getting more authentic and truthful representation in the media.
Rachel’s writing, Hudson’s brilliant performance, and your essay here, all make me feel so ‘less different’ in a way. Thank you for this, and putting it on TT so we could find it.
Thank you so much for your comment! 😊 I felt the same! Being autistic/ neurodivergent can oftentimes feel so overwhelming. Like nobody else really knows what you're going through.
Shane is really a character i needed to see. I am not diagnosed but i know there is something, and the way he goes with his life without his autism being a problem or something that has to be fixed just hugs my heart
Yes! There are so many scenes that reveal Shane's autism. I love how Hayden is so accommodating, he buys Ginger Ale because Shane loves it. Jackie cooks his macrobiotic diet because it's important to him. Hayden is sarcastic and Shane sometimes doesn't get it and Hayden is never mean about it.
"you want to get me pregnant, too?" is one of the funniest lines. Hayden wants Shane to get a girlfriend and is sarcastic about it. And he cares almost too much about Shane's love life.
Shane immediately jumps to "Hayden wants me pregnant", which is so much funnier because he prefers bottoming.
I can't believe I missed all this. I usually clock fellow autistic folks in TV and movies, but it all flew over my head. Looking forward to watching it again with this in mind.
Loved this so much! Shane is such a precious peanut & Ilya is such a fantastic rock for him. When Shane says this is his worst nightmare & Ilya immediately responding, "then maybe it's time to wake up, yes?" was so validating. He's acknowledging Shane's emotions but also reminding him he's strong and he can get through it.
Thank you 😊
I loved the article! It’s so accurate and explicits so well what I’ve thought and noticed while watching the series! It also gave me more insight on the mechanics of the representation, what makes it so good. I truly hope we’ll have more like this in the future !
This is absolutely the best analysis I have read about the characters and the ways in which they relate to each other. It explains the deep details I didn’t realize I was wanting to understand. I just knew it was as real in its portrayal of a relationship as anything I have seen on screen. Thank you for your insights and perspective.
😊 Thank you!
Thank you for your comment! 😊
Wow I see this series in a whole new light
Love this ❤️
Mmm, reading this article, I had the exact same experience. Now I get to re-watch with all of this subtlety to notice on deeper levels! Yay!
Thank you 😊
This is an excellently written, detailed article and analysis. Well-done!
I had always read Ilya’s “you’re so boring” as “I would like you to be my safe space” but a) has no idea or ability to actually say that bc upbringing, language barrier, homophobia etc and b) isn’t quite sure how Shane would react if he did (although I think Shane would appreciate the clarity, even if he would still have to have all those internal conversations with himself about his sexuality)
Thank you very much for your comment ☺️😊. I think you can have different interpretations for the "boring" comment. Ilya is a multi-layered character. That's what makes him so interesting.
I very rarely cry but you truly got me to the verge of tears with this part:
"The show understands this distinction. It refuses diagnostic language not out of vagueness, but out of respect. Shane’s experience is not defined by terminology, but by the lifelong effort of trying to be legible in a world that was not built for him."
Thank you❤️
I'm glad you liked it! Thank you so much! 😊
what a wonderful article!
Thank you ☺️
Love this! I was immediately drawn to Shane and I didn't know why, and didn't really think about it. Then my friend said, "of course you like the autistic one" and I was like what? oh!
I loved everything about this show, but Shane - and Hudson Williams’s portrayal of him - have stayed with me more than anything else. I was honestly so moved by his character, and you expressed my feelings perfectly. I loved this essay, and I hope Rachel, Jacob, and Hudson know how much Shane means to so many of us.
Love this analysis, especially how their different personalities and upbringing make them incredibly compatible but their polar communication styles made it impossible for them to actually reveal their feelings until years later, especially Ilya's bias toward subtlety. It kills me how Shane didn't realize Ilya was trying to give them a proper date with the ginger ale and tuna melt.
One tiny detail! I feel it's important to remember in the shower scene Ilya didn't make a sexual move until he noticed Shane's arousal. So yes it was a bold move but still consent-forward. Some people didn't notice that and thought he was doing it out of nowhere.
Thank you for your comment! ☺️
Yes, of course! Ilya is a consent king and that's one of the many reasons I love the show.
Beautifully written♥️ Especially, "This is how Shane loves: methodically. Privately. Completely."
Thank you for your comment!☺️
I actually didn't pick up on Shane's autism in the first or second episode. I thought Hudson was just a bad actor or that Shane was just very guarded. I'm not sure I can say I would have recognized it at all until the burger scene if I hadn't gone looking for an explanation on Reddit of whether or not Hudson was staying true to the character. It was there that I saw people talking about Hudson's portrayal of Shane's autism. I have interacted with people with autism but not enough to say I'm well-versed on how it displays differently. I think I'm just so used to seeing it portrayed a very specific kind of way in media that Shane being autistic never even crossed my mind. I hadn't realized I had preconceived notions about how it "should" be displayed in television/film until I watched Heated Rivalry. It was a humbling moment.
Thank you for your comment and for your candor! 😊
As an autistic person, I was always so frustrated by the portrayal of autism in the media. (There are a few good performances, Mel from The Pitt comes to my mind). But that's because most of the movies and tv shows are being written and directed and produced by neurotypical people. I'm not saying that a non-autistic person can't write autistic people, but I think you need to be sensitive about it, do research, talk and interact with autistic people. I only recognized Shane's autism immediatey, even only from the books, because I'm autistic. It's great that you recognized that there is a difference between stereotypes and authenticity. There is not "one way" in being autistic. Just like there is not "one way" in being gay or trans or Japanese. As long as people are open to learn about new experiences and be respectful, I'm happy. Shane's autism is a valid portrayal and many autistic people saw themselves in him. Let's just hope for the future that we will be getting more authentic and truthful representation in the media.
Rachel’s writing, Hudson’s brilliant performance, and your essay here, all make me feel so ‘less different’ in a way. Thank you for this, and putting it on TT so we could find it.
Thank you so much for your comment! 😊 I felt the same! Being autistic/ neurodivergent can oftentimes feel so overwhelming. Like nobody else really knows what you're going through.
Shane is really a character i needed to see. I am not diagnosed but i know there is something, and the way he goes with his life without his autism being a problem or something that has to be fixed just hugs my heart
Thank you for your comment ☺️😊
The scene really got me was Shane and Hayden talking about Jackie being pregnant:
She's what?
Jackie's pregnant
Again?
Jesus Christ man, you've gotta work on your lying
…
So when are you gonna join me in this nightmare?
Jeez Hayd, you want to get me pregnant, too? I don't think I'm ready
You're an asshole
…
Jackie will be so happy [you're interested in her friend]
We both have to make your wife happy now?
Also when Shane comes out to Ilya:
I think… I think I'm gay
Hmm, oh yeah… what makes you think that?
…
Ok, so you're gay, so what?
Well it's kinda a big deal, to me, at least. Sorry if I'm being boring again
Why are you telling me this?
Who else am I going to tell? It's not just being gay, it's this. Being gay is one thing, fucking your arch-rival is another thing
That's why it is a secret
Thank you for your comment! ☺️
Yes! There are so many scenes that reveal Shane's autism. I love how Hayden is so accommodating, he buys Ginger Ale because Shane loves it. Jackie cooks his macrobiotic diet because it's important to him. Hayden is sarcastic and Shane sometimes doesn't get it and Hayden is never mean about it.
"you want to get me pregnant, too?" is one of the funniest lines. Hayden wants Shane to get a girlfriend and is sarcastic about it. And he cares almost too much about Shane's love life.
Shane immediately jumps to "Hayden wants me pregnant", which is so much funnier because he prefers bottoming.
maybe Shane found some omegaverse fanfics when he "researched"?
"I prefer to be the omega"
And I thought I couldn't love them more.
I can't believe I missed all this. I usually clock fellow autistic folks in TV and movies, but it all flew over my head. Looking forward to watching it again with this in mind.