Words by Sam Damshenas

“A masterpiece”, “pure cinema” and “SOMEONE SEDATE ME” are just a few apt, and very on-brand, online reactions to the fifth episode of Heated Rivalry. (As well as phrases I actually said out-loud.)

Over the past four weeks, Jacob Tiernay’s gay hockey romance has firmly embedded itself in the queer zeitgeist. Based on Rachel Reid’s beloved MLM novels, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have garnered acclaim for their on and off-screen chemistry as rival hockey captains who secretly boink, while Tiernay’s direction and faithfulness to the source material – sex scenes included! – have cemented its status as, undeniably, the queer show of 2025.

While we can’t praise the first four episodes enough, from the chemistry between Shane and Ilya to the heartbreaking romance of Scott Hunter (Francois Arnaud) and Kip (Robbie G.K.), episode five is something else entirely: Heated Rivalry’s magnum opus (so far, anyway...) and easily one of the finest episodes in any LGBTQIA+ series.

Heartbreak to triumph, confessions to historic declarations and performances worthy of awards-season buzz — here are five moments from Heated Rivalry episode five, 'I’ll Believe In Anything,' that ensure it will be celebrated and referenced for years to come.