Heated Rivalry is doing this one major storyline better than the books, details explored in-depth

The HBO Max series Heated Rivalry is derived from the Game Changers series written by Rachel Reid. With the series shaped by Jacob Tierney, it follows an enemies-to-lovers storyline between two hockey players: Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander.

Upon its release, the series garnered smashing reviews, earning an enormous score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.0/10 on IMDb.

Its synopsis, as per RT, goes as follows:

A romance set in the world of hockey; Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands.

However, there is this one thing that Heated Rivalry does impeccably. As noted by ScreenRant, it is observed that there is a major storyline that this series does even better than the original book.

Keep reading to find out how.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for Heated Rivalry. Reader discretion is advised.

Heated Rivalry takes the storytelling of its original book to a whole new level

Critics and audience seem to really love Heated Rivalry, and rightfully so. Right from its direction, script writing and the performances — everything has tugged on the heart strings of the viewers. The series brings about a sense of depth and nuance that helps us navigate their relationship.

In Episode 5, "I'll Believe in Anything", the growing relationship of Shane and Ilya is explored deeply, in fact, in a more elaborate manner than the book. In that episode, both the hockey players join together in the same team. What also helps in bringing the nuance and subtleties is its visual language. The evolving bond between Ilya and Shane is felt in a very tangible sense.

In the book though, the relationship between them grows in a slow, intrinsic manner. Mainly, the development of their bond is showcased through contemplation and exposition.

Another important thing to note is that, in this episode of Heated Rivalry, there is an in-depth exploration of a parallel love story of Kip and Scott Hunter. The emotional undercurrents between them have been showcased beautifully in the series, as they celebrate their love by kissing publicly after Hunter triumphs at the MLH.

Adaptations from books into films or series can be done in a thoughtful way if the core essence of the source material is kept alive, with visual elements supporting and enriching the experience of its storytelling. The moments that were felt in the text whilst reading the novel now feel completely materialized with how the series is treated with astuteness, intricacy and finesse. So this creates an immersive experience that feels more poignant and evocative.

The succeeding episode of the series is slated to release just a day after Christmas, on December 26, 2025. The cast includes Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Robbie G.K., François Arnaud, and many others. The season 2 of the show has also been finalized.

Trending

Stay tuned for more such stories at Soap Central!

Also read: Heated Rivalry: Every episode of the HBO Max sports drama, ranked by IMDb rating

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback