Category: Features

EPISODE 5: I’LL BELIEVE IN ANYTHING

SYNOPSIS: Rose knows that something is up with her new boyfriend, leading to Shane’s first real coming-out. This leads to a big shift in Shane. When he shows up for the All-Star Game in Tampa Bay — when he’ll be playing on a line with Ilya for the first time — he is made over and ready to come get what’s his. Great hockey playing and heavy conversations ensue. Ilya has to go home for his father’s funeral. Shane gets knocked out during a game. Scott and Kip kiss on national television.  

Dude, this fuckin’ episode.  Continue reading “Eat All: The Songs of Heated Rivalry: Episode 5”

EPISODE 4: ROSE

SYNOPSIS: Ilya’s friend-with-benefits Svetlana and Shane’s teammate Hayden are starting to think their friends might be getting serious about that person they’re always texting. After a hookup at Ilya’s Boston apartment, he asks Shane to stay the night. They nap and watch hockey; Ilya tells him about Svetlana. Ilya makes Shane a tuna melt, which my therapist says is Canadian for “I care about you.” Shane overhears Ilya talking on the phone with his sick father, leading to a new level of intimacy between them, which leads Shane to freak out. At a party soon after, Shane hits it off with the movie star Rose Landry and figures he might as well try girls again, leading to a jealous standoff between our two heroes at a Montreal nightclub.  Continue reading “Eat All: The Songs of Heated Rivalry: Episode 4”

EPISODE 3: HUNTER

SYNOPSIS: New York Guardians captain Scott Hunter — who we have met in passing at the first MLH Awards, the all-star game, and the Sochi Olympics — is having a streak of bad luck. A smoothie bought from a cutie named Kip breaks that streak, so Scott keeps coming back. Scott gives Kip hockey tickets. Kip literally runs into Scott while cater-waitering a gala. The next thing you know, these two are shacked up and in love, until Kip’s badass pal Elena tells them both that they deserve sunshine. Scott can’t come out right now. So Kip goes home to his awesome dad, then gets a full ride to grad school. 

This episode is the series’ double-LP concept album, having to jam an entire book into one hour. Continue reading “Eat All: The Songs of Heated Rivalry: Episode 3”

EPISODE 2: OLYMPIANS

SYNOPSIS: After two years of Ilya pitching woo and Shane ducking it, they finally hook up again at Shane’s Montreal apartment. Despite this success, the next time they see each other is at the Winter 2014 Olympics in Ilya’s native Russia. The Russian team gets knocked out early, and Ilya suffers the disappointment of his countrymen — in particular his father. Ilya ices Shane out hard. Shane learns that Russia isn’t particularly evolved when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights. Six months later, the pair presents a sportsmanship award together at the MLH awards. Shane confronts Ilya about not returning texts, Ilya wins MVP, then they get filthy in Ilya’s hotel penthouse suite; Shane is heartsick about it afterward.  Continue reading “Eat All: The Songs of Heated Rivalry: Episode 2”