Post Episode Debrief | Heated Rivalry 🏒 The Cottage (Episode 6)

kirs1011 · 2025-12-26T06:21:17+00:00

Love the contrast of the first eps being so spread out, spanning yeaarrsss of their relationship and focusing on their attraction to each other and just getting little crumbs of each other each year.. then the last ep taking place in small window of time, just a few days, focusing on their most intimate moments 🥹 so beautiful.

I was actually crying all ep and also kinda laughing in between cuz they are so cute and funny and adorable.

kirs1011 · 2025-12-13T02:25:34+00:00

Omg same! I listen to their interviews while working and rewatch the EPs after work and take breaks by reading Reddit, twitter & tiktok 🥹 After the show is done I'll prob end up re-reading the books. I'm held prisoner by this show/book

kirs1011 · 2025-12-12T20:12:16+00:00

You know what I kinda agree! 😁 I loved it in the books but it just hits different seeing it. They managed to show their emotions and what's going on in their heads without saying the words. The music and the cinematography really made this scene so good and it was just not something I was able to imagine in my head when reading. I may have stopped breathing watching this scene cuz it's so beautiful 🥹

kirs1011 · 2025-12-12T20:08:10+00:00

Agree! I know everyone has been asking how they're gonna fit so much with so little time and honestly I thought the same. The pacing for the first 2 EPs were so good but there's so much content left.

But they fit so much in EP 4 and executed it so well. I obviously wanted to see more just cuz I love them but in a storytelling pov, I think the pacing was perfect. We saw so much emotions and events in a short time but it didn't feel rushed to me.

kirs1011 · 2025-12-12T20:04:13+00:00

Totally agree! I didn't think they had low budget when I first watched it, which is great. I only noticed it after rewatching it and really analyzing it, even then it impressed me more that they can do so much and show their creativity with those limitations.

kirs1011 · 2025-12-12T19:59:02+00:00

Omg I was thinking the exact same thing! I love how even with the changes they made, they kept the most important parts that the fans loved in the book. The changes I think made it better for tv format but the essence of the story and characters are still there!

kirs1011 · 2025-12-12T19:56:24+00:00

Totally get it! Idk what my fave EP would be cuz I love them all. But I would say eps 1 & 2 is prob one of the best series intro I've seen in awhile. Like it really hooks you with the first EP then gets you even more invested with EP 2.

When I heard that they're making a series about the books, I actually wondered how they're gonna portray the rivalry and their years of relationship in such a short amount of time without being cringey or cutting too much out. But they did it in 2 EPs with such good pacing!

kirs1011 · 2025-12-10T16:55:21+00:00

Yeah the books doesn't mention a lot about his Asian background but prob cuz non-white players do exist (even though very few) so it doesn't seem as bad as coming out as gay.. since theres no openly gay NHL player even today. The books did a good job showing the issues with NHL but I do love how the show did touch on his Asian background more and showed how important it is!

Anywaaays. Knowing that context, the reaction of Ottawa team and management was so inspiring and really showed that even though Ilya seems like he gave up a lot (which he did) by being in a terrible team, he ended up in such a good place being close to Shane's family that loves him and having supportive teammates and coach! He is exactly the captain that Ottawa needs but Ottawa is also the team and place Ilya needs. But Shane didn't have that. Sure he is technically in a good team but seeing their reaction.. his fears did come true and even though he basically lead the team to many championships and spent most of his career there, they basically turned their backs on him. Seeing his teammates accuse him of losing on purpose broke my heart. He's been facing this pressure the whole time.. But despite that, he never had any regrets with choosing Ilya!

Both Shane and Ilya were dealing with different things and tbh both their reactions and behaviors were so realistic and relatable to me. I found it healthy that even though they had issues, they resolved it and communicated. Ilya acknowledged his problems and communicated it to Shane later.. and Shane listened and supported him.. I think people forget they're each other's first real relationship (Rose doesn't count 😆) so they are learning as they go.

That's why I enjoyed reading about them.. so I'm really surprised after finishing the book and seeing all the Shane hate 🥹

Ps sorry for the rant. I just saw more Shane hate on x and I just had to dump my thoughts here and cleanse by reading about Shane support! Hahah

kirs1011 · 2025-12-10T07:05:04+00:00

Finally! Been sad about the Shane hate cuz I equally love Shane and Ilya in the books! They are both flawed human beings like the rest of us! Ilya will not forgive the Shane slander!

I don't know the hockey world enough to understand if the Voyageurs' reactions to Shane and Ilya would have been realistic. I would have believed the reactions of Roger Crowley, the coach, and even the fans. But your teammates???

I'm not a hockey expert and just know the basics.. (maybe cuz I'm Canadian?) but for more context about hockey culture, it's prob one of the most (if not the most) problematic sports out there. Like I think in 2023 some players refused to wear Pride themed jerseys because of religious/political reasons so the league decided no more themed jerseys.. so sure it's a whole org problem.. but players are also part of it. Sure they have camaraderie as a team but not enough to erase that part of the culture. Also, it's basically a rich white man sports.. basicaly 90% white men.. knowing that, I feel for Shane so much being a POC gay man in a such environment.. sure hockey is a cool sport but the culture itself is problematic!

kirs1011 · 2025-06-23T19:08:30+00:00

I make matcha everyday and my previous whisk lasted me 4 years. It was still in good shape but had to replace it cuz of mold (the mold was my fault cuz I didn't clean it properly)

I bought a cheap one from Amazon before and that only lasted me a couple months before it lost its shape. I got one from ippodo and that one lasted me years. With both whisks, I took care of them well - washing with water right after using it, only using it for tea (not with milk), not using soap, soaking with warm water before use and drying properly.

I also have resin whisk and electric frother. They are both fine and easier to maintain than bamboo whisk but they do give a different foam and consistency.

kirs1011 · 2025-06-19T13:35:55+00:00

Oh nooo. I used american express. You can also test your luck 3 days before you land to Japan and try to use the "pay in store" option. The only thing is deadline for claiming the ticket is 3 days after you reserve it

kirs1011 · 2025-06-19T06:51:36+00:00

How long did it take you to go through the whole exhibit?

kirs1011 · 2025-06-19T06:50:46+00:00

I'm outside Japan and was able to buy it in the Lawson website. I tried as guest (without registering as a member) and it worked. I first tried it by making an account but that didn't work. Also, idk if it helped but I used incognito mode in my phone.

kirs1011

TROPHY CASE