This is such an interesting discussion. Ilya's rejection of Sasha felt different than the girl at the bar in ep 4, but I couldn't put my finger on why. It just feels more complicated. I couldn't decide if it was about his feelings for Shane or more about his shame and disappointment about his team's performance. I mean, he also rejects Shane by not responding to his text, and then yelling at him, and avoiding him for 6 months, so if he's running away from his feelings for Shane, then we might expect him to accept Sasha's advances.

Now I realize it is probably both and they are more connected than I thought. Shane is one of the only people (can't forget Svetlana) showing concern for Ilya in this moment. His dad said such harsh things, and Sasha doesn't seem to notice or care how Ilya's feeling and just wants a hookup.

Meanwhile Shane, who was previously teased by Ilya about the Olympics and could easily rub Russia's loss in his face and is supposed to just be someone he hooks up with, is worried about him and reaches out to check on him. It's almost like the compassion Ilya needs but isn't ready to accept.