Heated Rivalry Episode 5: Scott Hunter is the real game changer in Shane and Ilya's story, here's why

It all makes sense now! That's what Heated Rivalry fans are essentially thinking after witnessing that historic moment between Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip (Robbie G.K.) on the ice in the final moments of the fifth episode. Fans who complained that the HBO Max series, based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers, took a detour from Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya's (Connor Storrie) story and featured a page from Scott's life are finally appreciating the world-building in this Jacob Tierney-created show.

While Heated Rivalry is focused on the years-long, complicated yet meaningful relationship between Shane and Ilya, arch-rivals and the top MLH players, the latest episode proved that Scott Hunter is the titular game changer from Reid's book series.

After months of longing and confusion, Scott finally came out as the first openly gay player in Episode 5, publicly kissing and accepting his relationship with Kip. This bold move gave hope to Shane and Ilya, who were wrestling with their feelings for one another.

More on Heated Rivalry Episode 5 in our story.

Who is Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry?

For the uninitiated, Scott Hunter is the first protagonist in Reid's Game Changer (Book 1), the star center and team captain of the New York Admirals. While Scott Hunter is a minor character in Reid's subsequent books in the fictional hockey universe, Heated Rivalry featured his meet-cute with Kip, the smoothie bar barista, in Episode 3.

The third entry of the HBO Max series follows Scott as he meets Kip at Straw+Berry, making Kip's signature Blueberry+Banana smoothie his pre-game tradition. Between smoothies and sweaty runs, Scott falls head over heels in love with Kip and they begin an adorable but secretive romance.

Despite a hopeful start, Heated Rivalry Episode 3 concludes with tension between the couple, after Scott expresses that he cannot come out and accept his relationship with Kip publicly. Being fellow closeted hockey players, Shane and Ilya share Scott's fears but Kip wants recognition. Unlike Shane, Ilya and Scott, he does not understand the rules of their world and this creates friction in his relationship with the Admirals' Captain.

In a surprising twist (and something Reid's readers were itching to witness on-screen), Scott Hunter publicly kissed Kip on the ring in front of everyone after winning the MLH cup for the Admirals. Shane and Ilya witnessed this historic moment on television, which will change the course of their relationship in the upcoming Heated Rivalry finale.

Why is Scott Hunter the real game changer in Heated Rivalry?

While HBO Max's Heated Rivalry adapts Shane and Ilya's story, Scott's brave action in Episode 5 proved that he is the real game-changer in Reid's fictional hockey universe. The latest episode was the softest and most emotional entry in the series so far, which not only featured this historic Skip (Scott and Kip) moment, but also shifted the dynamics between Shane and Ilya. Our favorite hockey players ditched their passionate intimacy for wholesome conversations and finally broke their barriers by being vulnerable in front of each other.

While Ilya confessed his love for Shane in Russian, the Metros' Captain invited Ilya to his cottage the next summer. Even though Ilya was fearful about accepting Shane's invitation and second-guessing their years-long secret, Scott Hunter's bold move changed his perspective. Skip's kiss not only instilled hope in Shane and Ilya but the latter also finally accepted Shane's invitation to the cottage.

In an interview with Glamour, Arnaud explains the importance of Scott's action and how it affected Shane and Ilya's relationship:

“Jacob told me from the get-go that, for him, Scott’s story in episode three was kind of like the heart of the show and the more heart-on-its-sleeve aspect of the show. It allowed him to keep Ilya and Shane more tentative in their dynamic. That’s how he felt about the end of five as well. They sort of live their own emotional climax vicariously through Scott.”

Fans are already loving Scott's bold move, where he fearlessly came out as the first openly gay player. Simply put, Scott laid the groundwork so Shane and Ilya could envision and chase a shared future.

The Heated Rivalry finale will air on HBO Max on December 26.

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Also Read: What is the song playing at the end of Heated Rivalry Episode 4?

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