When it seems like Ilya and Shane’s relationship is finally progressing, they end up drifting apart. In the game of love, no one is willing to take the win in Heated Rivalry episode 4.
Heated Rivalry episode 4 aired on December 12, 2025, via HBO Max and Crave. Titled Rose, this episode brings Ilya and Shane much closer. Yet the moment they drop their last names—Hollander and Rozanov—and address each other simply as Ilya and Shane, a subtle distance creeps in. One seeks distraction, the other wrestles with jealousy. In the game they’ve started, neither is willing to take the risk to win.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers about the series. Read at your own risk.
The Worlds of Ilya and Shane in Heated Rivalry Episode 4
Heated Rivalry episode 4 opens with parallel glimpses into Shane and Ilya’s personal and professional worlds. On the ice, both are thriving—Shane even secures back-to-back championship cups, much to Ilya’s quiet delight.
Off the rink, their connection continues through constant texting. Shane spends his summers back in Canada, while Ilya splits his time between Russia and caring for his father. When their teams face each other, they often meet up at Shane’s place or hotel rooms. Most nights, Shane prefers quiet evenings with a book, whereas Ilya lives it up if he isn’t tied down by family obligations.
By October 2016, Hayden is expecting his fourth child with his wife and tries to play matchmaker for Shane—but Shane isn’t interested. Meanwhile, in Boston, Ilya watches a show about Shane’s Quebec home. He claims it’s boring, yet his attention says otherwise. Later, when Svetlana asks if he’s serious about Lily, he insists it’s casual.
The next time Shane visits Boston, he lies to Hayden about meeting a friend for dinner. Hayden, thinking Shane is about to get lucky, teases him—but Shane remains evasive and defensive, keeping his personal life tightly guarded.
Crossing Boundaries
For the first time, Shane steps into Ilya’s home, and the two share an intense, passionate encounter. Afterward, Ilya persuades Shane to stay, and they drift into a nap before Ilya whips up something to eat.
During their quiet moment, Ilya brings up his ongoing situation with Svetlana and asks Shane if he’s attracted to women. Shane tries to stay composed, but jealousy shows through. He admits he likes women but emphasizes that he values his privacy.
As they eat on the couch, Ilya’s phone rings. His father scolds Alexei, ordering him to check on their dad. Shane, overhearing, asks Ilya about his father. Instead of answering, Ilya pulls Shane into a cuddle, and the intimacy begins to feel domestic.
Their closeness escalates quickly—they start making out and pleasuring each other. In the heat of the moment, Ilya calls Shane by his first name for the first time. Shane reciprocates but suddenly snaps out of it.
He jumps up, apologizes, and declares, “I can’t do this.” Ilya tries to reason with him, but Shane bolts, leaving a stunned and frustrated Ilya behind.
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Jealousy and Unspoken Desire
In the days following their fallout, Shane’s mood sours, even around his parents. He becomes particularly irritated when his mom suggests a trip to meet a Swedish princess. Later, JJ invites him to a club to mingle with the cast of the X Squad movie.
At the club, Shane meets Rose Landry, one of the actresses, and the two instantly hit it off. Their chemistry quickly earns them the title of the hottest couple in town. Ilya feels the sting of jealousy as he reads news articles and watches reports about Shane and Rose, while his team suffers a loss against Shane’s squad in their next game.
Seeking distraction, Ilya goes clubbing with a teammate, only to discover Shane is there with Rose and her gay friend. Rose persuades Shane onto the dance floor, where Shane instinctively scans the crowd for Ilya’s teammate. From across the room, Ilya notices Rose’s friend and starts searching for Shane.
Time seems to slow when their eyes finally meet in Heated Rivalry episode 4. Fueled by jealousy, Ilya provocatively dances with a random woman, while Shane takes Rose home for a night of passion. Alone, Ilya retreats to his bathroom, letting his thoughts drift to Shane as he masturbates, consumed by longing and frustration.
Heated Rivalry Episode 4 Review
We’re back in the world of rivals-turned-secret-lovers after last week’s detour into smoothie territory. Jacob Tierney uses clever montages and visual storytelling to create a cinematic feel that draws us deep into Shane and Ilya’s emotional landscape.
In the closing scene, Shane and Ilya barely speak, yet their eyes and movements say it all. Every glance conveys longing, jealousy, desire, and fear. Shane fleeing Ilya’s house perfectly captures their mutual realization: Ilya’s silent epiphany contrasts with Shane’s panic when Ilya dares to call him by his first name.
This episode marks a turning point in their relationship. Ilya’s jealousy makes it clear he wants Shane and struggles to see him with someone else. At the same time, Shane tries to move on, thinking Rose will help, but Ilya remains lodged in his mind, making it nearly impossible.
A subtle but clever motif in this episode is ginger ale. Shane spends much of the episode searching for it, only to come up empty at restaurants and bars. Yet Ilya has it ready the moment Shane visits his place—without being asked—showing his attentiveness and thoughtfulness.
With only two episodes left, we’re eager to see Shane and Ilya confront their fears and finally face their feelings. And of course, we can’t wait to check back in with Scott and Kip—could one last smoothie encounter be the key to their happiness?
Catch the next episode of Heated Rivalry on December 19, 2025 via Crave and HBO Max.
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Source: Crave, HBO Max, Crave (X)
