A Trip to the Cottage (Heated Rivalry Finale Recap)

26 Dec, 2025

A Trip to the Cottage

Image via HBO Max

Christmas is a little different every year, people grow and change and sometimes our traditions and the meaning of the holidays change for each of us… This is my crap way of saying that Heated Rivalry has absolutely dominated my headspace and has been living rent free up there since Thanksgiving this year. When I woke up on Christmas morning, these things popped into my head in this order:

“They’re going to the cottage tonight…”

“Oh shit, we also have Stranger Things tonight too!”

“Man, I’m really excited to see my family today.”

Am I proud of that order? Yes. And I will defend it because my family got to see me before any of that media was consumed so they are the real winners here. When I look back on the 2025 holiday season I will remember that this was the year that Rachel Reid’s and Jacob Tierney’s masterpieces worked their way into my life. Honestly, thank you Canada and Crave for giving me everything I wanted, nay, needed this holiday season.

My Fiancé and I were worn out after a long day of traveling yesterday so we decided not to watch the final episode of season one: “The Cottage” last night. I instead woke up at 6:30 this morning and did my first watch curled up in bed with my iPad (we’re all watching each episode 3-5 times, right?) and I will con my Fiancé into watching it again with me later tonight. Here are my thoughts…

WARNING If you somehow ended up on this post by mistake and have not watched any of Heated Rivalry yet, this is about the finale episode so there are some major spoilers going forward. Please do not continue to read, I suggest going back and starting from the first episode. It is completely worth it! Image via HBO Max

First off, the final episode is a masterpiece and gave me everything I wanted. As someone who has read the books I was the tiniest bit upset that we did not get the epilogue (because I’m selfish and wanted more, not because the finale was lacking anything whatsoever) but I totally understand that choice. Based on everything I have seen/read, no one expected this show to blow up like it did so when this was being filmed/edited, I doubt season two was a certainty. So going in planning on not having a season two: the ending fits in case it were to not get picked up for another season. (If you have not heard, season two has been announced! Whoop whoop!). But it does give Ilya and Shane a happy ending driving off into the sunset and that’s a huge win itself. I enjoyed how the show stays so true to the books in so many aspects and the small changes that are made are so smoothly done in a way that makes me second guess if I accidentally skipped over a page or two in the book.

I think the biggest takeaway in the last few episodes is the changes in the relationship’s dynamic. The first few episodes, they were banging it out every chance they got, which is… valid. But especially in the finale, you finally get to see how Shane and Ilya’s intimacy transforms from a heated, physical one, into a softer, more emotional one. I mean, there is the phone call scene with Hayden but even that leads into a conversation about how the relationship isn’t just about sexual thrills anymore. Seeing the growth play out is so well done, especially since it spans over a 10 year period and this whole season (and the book) have done such a great job of teasing this intimate love story just to give us everything we wanted in a finale.

The relationship reveal was done in such a matter of fact way, no muss no fuss (except Shane’s own anxiety which is extremely valid). I really love that the whole “coming out” scene is just met with shock over Ilya, not the fact that Shane is gay. The way that Yuna and David are written in this show/book is so healing in so many ways (especially in The Long Game, the scene where they are getting ready for a wedding? I mean…). The fact that Shane and Ilya feel heat from the hockey league and their teammates and the fans but never Shane’s parents is so relieving in so many ways. I do love the small added scene in the finale of just Shane and Yuna on the lawn, the fact that Yuna seems upset and Shane puts her cardigan on her and says: “Mom, I need you to know that I did really try, I tried really hard but I just can’t help it. And I’m sorry.” We see that she is not distressed by the fact that Shane is gay or that he is with Ilya but over the fact that she may have done something to make Shane not trust her enough to share this part of his life with her. And immediately telling Shane that she is proud of him… tear jerking. Then, no fighting, no questioning, no “how am I going to get grandkids”. Just an: “Ok, what's the plan?” I’m not going to lie I was a little stressed in episode one when we got the whole “Fuck him. Right up the butt.” throwaway comment from Yuna earlier in the season. But I think ultimately, they landed the plane on Yuna and David. Image via HBO Max

But also? The lighting (I know a lot of people were worried after the first two episodes, but really it was just symbolism from them sneaking around in dark hotel rooms on the DL to finally being able to be together in a cottage made of glass in broad daylight), the sets, the camera angles? The way deep conversations are being had by other characters but the camera rarely leaves Connor and Hudson in those moments and actually zooms in? Absolute cinema. With a low budget (approx. $5 Million which sounds like a lot but by the end of Game of Thrones the average episode had a budget of $15 million which ended up being around $90 million for the last season.) I think this show shows what is really possible when you have amazing source material (or a great original story/script), some seemingly unknown actors, and a dream. Honestly, Crave (the Canadian streaming service that produced the show) deserves all the roses. Not so subtle reminder that this is a Canadian production based on a book by a Canadian author, adapted by a Canadian actor/director, starring two Canadian actors- Hudson Williams (Shane Hollander) and Francois Arnaud (Scott Hunter). HBO just acquired the streaming rights for the show, it was not involved in the creation or the creativity.

What is going to happen in season two? Is it going to follow the next book that followed Shane and Ilya, “The Long Game”? Or possibly get more depth into Scott and Kip, are we going to get to meet Troy and Harris? Maybe we will get to drop in on Eric and Kyle. Some people still do not know this show was based off of books, and this first season of the series only covers book two and barely grazes book one! There are four more books out there, four more couples to meet! I only have one book left in the series, and spoiler. Ilya shows up… pretty damn often. So do with that knowledge what you will.

I think after hitting “post” I’m going to finally get my sourdough starter started and see how that goes so I can write about that next week! I’m also thinking about working my way through this cool Letterboxd list I found: Movies everyone should watch at least once during their lifetime

I think I may try and watch one movie a week and give my thoughts about it! So we will see!

Until next time, Roy