It was a good run: For the past five years, Netflix’s “Bridgerton” has reigned as TV’s smuttiest romance. The streamer’s adaptation of Julia Quinn’s historical romance novels has become equally known for its carriage-shaking, spoon-licking, bodice-ripping bursts of sensuality as well as its heartfelt vulnerability, compelling emotional drama and swoon-worthy declarations of love.
And though “Bridgerton” season 4 will no doubt have more of the steamy same when it premieres on the streaming service later this month (four new episodes arrive on January 29), the series will have to contend with the fact that it’s no longer TV’s reigning sexy romance — it’s been beaten by a hockey show.
Like “Bridgerton,” the drama is based on a series of best-selling books — in this case, Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” novel series — and manages to balance both heart and horniness, with frequent provocative scenes between the two well-muscled athletes as they navigate their secret relationship against the hyper-competitive and testosterone-heavy backdrop of professional sports.
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And all of that rink-melting heat has clearly paid off: Since the series premiered on November 28, it has remained solidly in the number-one spot on HBO Max’s most-watched list and has garnered a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics rave: “Jacob Tierney lovingly adapts Rachel Reid’s hockey-set romance novels into an all-consuming, steamy, dreamy love fest of true queer intent, making ‘Heated Rivalry’ a bona fide winner.”
But while viewers may have initially tuned in for the, ahem, pucking, it’s the unexpected tenderness and thoughtfulness in which “Heated Rivalry” handles Shane and Ilya’s relationship that makes it TV’s best new love story.
Across six episodes, Jacob Tierney — who wrote and directed every installment — smartly paces the characters’ coupling, starting from the high-energy, quick-cut bursts of, yes, mostly sexual activity in the players’ early years and later strategically slowing that action down as Ilya and Shane’s bond deepens and moves away from the merely physical to the undeniably romantic.
By the finale, we’re spending two weeks in one location — the infamous cottage — with our burgeoning couple while they, as Shane prompts, finally get honest with each other about what they think and how they really feel.
What helps push the lads to that place, literally and emotionally, is another couple from Reid’s “Game Changers” universe: fellow hockey pro Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and the smoothie-shop barista Christopher “Kip” Grady (Robbie G.K.) whom he falls for in episode three.
Though still closeted publicly and professionally, Scott is privately very open with his feelings and intentions for Kip throughout their relationship, and the eventual grand reveal of their sweet, soulful courtship not only showed Shane and Ilya what could be possible for them but also, via the final moments of episode 5, gifted TV fans with the most romantic moment of television this past year: Scott waving Kip down to the ice in celebration of his first MLH Cup win and declaring both his love and queerness to the world by way of a swoon-worthy smooch. Not since Patrick touchingly serenaded David to the tune of Tina Turner’s “The Best” in “Schitt’s Creek” has an onscreen declaration of love so wrenched our hearts open.
That deeply felt intimacy, both emotional and carnal, will continue with a second season of “Heated Rivalry,” which has already been picked up by Crave and is expected to hit streaming sometime in 2027. Until then, it’s time to up your game, “Bridgerton.”
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