Heated Rivalry - 1x1 "Rookies" Full Reaction
Added 2026-01-23 06:53:08 +0000 UTC
Comments
Just remember... We are watching WITH you. (Not AT you if that makes sense.) People with a prurient interest in shaming you or the show probably aren't bothering to watch, because they aren't likely to enjoy the content for other reasons. That sort of person is going to have already clocked the show as being "against their values" - having not actually seen a single episode - and will be smugly sitting in a corner patting themselves on the back for being closed-minded. The rest of us will be with you because we actually enjoy hearing your insights and vicariously sharing the experience with you. Judgy-McJudgersons can jump right up their own back-passage.
Algor Langeaux
2026-02-07 11:03:06 +0000 UTCCouple things: - This wasn't a fanfiction turned into a show actually. This show is an adaptation of a book series (specifically book 2) and the author Rachel Reid wrote the first book, but wanted to get better scope of reception to the story so she posted it as an original work on Ao3. It didn't get much traction so she was advised to take it down and make it a fanfic. So she did and just replaced the characters with MCU characters and reuploaded it, after which it did get popular and got enough praise that she decided to take it down and publish the original work. SO it's kinda the opposite case where it went OG Work -> Fanfic -> OG Work Published as Novel -> Adaptation - Shane's character is autistic! This is never explicitly stated in the book or show, but it is important to understanding his character. The author Rachel Reid, the director and creator of the show Jacob Tierney, and Shane's actor Hudson Williams have all confirmed that that was an intentional character choice for the character. The only reason it's unacknowledged within the story itself is because Shane is undiagnosed.
sierra's reaction corner
2026-01-25 15:40:15 +0000 UTCI finally got to watch your reaction. I am sorry you feel uncomfortable doing it. I wish it was as easy as saying pretend no one will watch this, but yeah I don’t think that will work 😂. I agree that the time jumps threw me for a loop at first, but I guess it makes sense that they wouldn’t be able to see each other very often since it isn’t something they could be public about and hop on a plane and just visit if they wanted to. Only secretly when they were in the same city. I really love this series, and in fact have watched it a couple times and am now going to start the book series since I can’t wait for the second season and need my fix now. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on future episodes. I always enjoy your insight on things, so I am excited to hear what you have to say as the episodes go on. I almost wish you had someone else there with you watching it so you didn’t feel all eyes on you and maybe relaxed more into what was going on. Either way you only have 5 more to go so not too bad, right?
Michelle Denny
2026-01-24 04:45:08 +0000 UTCLove your reaction!! Idk why the version you are watching is so dark because i heard hbo had brightened the show after people complained. It's definitely worth looking into because i feel like a lot of the details gets lost with the dark lighting
Tara.
2026-01-23 23:02:39 +0000 UTCI enjoyed the series. I did find the time iumps a little jarring but overall it works out when you just have six episodes. I didn’t vote for it as I knew you would feel awkward doing a reaction, though you did just fine with it. I haven’t rewatched the series yet, so this will be a good way to do it
AdoptDontShopPets
2026-01-23 19:09:31 +0000 UTCOh yea so glad you are reacting to this!!! I can’t wait to watch this!!!
Michelle Denny
2026-01-23 14:17:25 +0000 UTCGreat way to start my day. You are right the actor of Ilya is not russian at all, he is from Texas and learned the language and accent for the show. The story of Heated Rivalry is actually not fanfiction based. It's the second book in the series. The first book has a history of being fanfiction, although I believe the writer said it started out as an original idea/work, then she posted it as stucky fanfic on ao3 to get feedback on the story and then it got turned back to a oc book. But again that is not the Shane/Ilya story. I really appreciate you reacting to this.
BexFangirl
2026-01-23 08:33:29 +0000 UTC
