Critic Reviews

What the first few episodes of the series lack in dynamic storytelling, the show makes up for with the scenes shared between the two leads. .... Williams and Storrie share a chemistry so intense it rivals Bogart & Bacall, shaping this series into not only one of the most entertaining shows of the year, but also one of its most significant.

It’s unclear where this is going — early episodes suggest a doomed affair à la “Fellow Travelers,” or maybe it will become more upbeat like “Heartstopper” — but through its first two episodes, the show definitely lives up to its title.

Overall, though, Heated Rivalry is definitely recommended for those who love romance stories featuring handsome leads with instant, palpable chemistry.

Critics have only been sent the season’s first two episodes, which makes it hard to tell how some of my reservations with the storytelling will play out. But so far Heated Rivalry is swoony, raunchy, very Canadian and will satisfying viewers looking for seasonal flirtation (and more) without a trace of Christmas content.

After a while, however, watching people have sex – however perfect their bottoms – is undeniably tedious. And watching young men banter in between times (“You’re boring” says Ilya, repeatedly. “You’re an asshole,” Shane generally replies) even more so. .... Sex becomes love (and sex) and intimacy (and sex) and the banter improves a bit. Whether it is reward enough for sitting through the first few hours is for you to decide.

The storytelling is at the teenage drama level. And the acting, from some cast members, is at the daytime soap level. That’s okay. Heated Rivalry is not to be taken terribly seriously.

While the subject matter of Heated Rivalry is somewhat daring, the first episode plays out like something that used to be shown late nights on Cinemax instead of story with well-drawn characters and romantic chemistry between its leads.