Content Warning: Some spoilers for the show “Heated Rivalry,” as well as a couple of other shows/books/movies/hockey leagues, but not enough to ruin the journey for you.

Like every other chronically online freak, I’ve allowed for Jacob Tierney‘s show “Heated Rivalry” to consume my every waking thought. Suffice to say, I think the show is an incredible achievement, especially considering the minuscule budget. After watching and rewatching the series (and the 10 billion compilation videos on YouTube), I thought it would be more productive to list things we could do while we impatiently await the next season.

Option One: Read the Books

Yes, this is obvious, but maybe there’s a single person out there who doesn’t realize the show is based on a series of hockey romance novels by Rachel Reid. While the show takes great efforts to stay true to the spirit of the books, Tierney made many artistic choices that really elevated the source material. Case in point, the beautifully shot and edited club scene from the end of the fourth episode. In the book, the club scene is a good read because we see two characters awkwardly navigate the unofficial break-up of their secret situationship as they attempt to “move on” with other people. In the show, the scene is transcendent. The set design, the transition from t.A.T.u. ‘s “All the Things She Said” to Harrison‘s cover, and the creative camerawork heighten this already-tense moment into an emotional gut punch of confusion and despair. The book doesn’t mention t.A.T.u. and doesn’t have the benefit of showing Ilya walk into the club in slow motion, but it does offer more insight into the characters and their thoughts throughout the series. Be aware that if you thought you couldn’t watch this show with other people, the books are even more graphic. If you’re listening to the audiobooks, please make sure your car’s Bluetooth doesn’t automatically start playing the books, because that gets uncomfortable fast.

I ranked all of the “Game Changers” books in this blog post. Now the only books I can ever read again have to be about gay hockey players.

Option Two: Watch “Letterkenny” and its spin-off, “Shoresy”

Prior to his work on “Heated Rivalry,” the show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, worked with Jared Keeso on “Letterkenny,” a series set in a small town in Ontario that revolves around the 5,000 people living there and their problems. The main characters include Wayne (played by Keeso), his sister Katy, and two best friends, Dary and Squirelly Dan, as they go about their days.

“Letterkenny” is likely best known for its witty, fast-paced dialogue, as characters crack puns, make jokes, and offer sophisticated opinions on complex social issues at lightning speed. Then there’ll be a scene where two characters are having a fart contest. While the show is funny and enjoyable enough on its own, fans of “Heated Rivalry” may notice that some of that impressive camerawork and sound design is present throughout “Letterkenny,” especially during the many epic fight scenes. Jacob Tierney has a recurring role as Glen, the probably-closeted Letterkenny preacher who has the hots for Wayne. Another fun detail about the show is that if you watch enough episodes, you start to recognize actors who appear in both series. For example, the beautiful Bonnie McMurray, who often enters a room in slow motion, plays Jackie Pike, Hayden’s wife. I’m always delighted when an actor from one project appears in something else I recognize.

While I’m still working my way through Letterkenny’s impressive twelve seasons and can’t speak too much on “Shorsey,” I know the story is a little more hockey-forward.

Option Three: Check Out the Other Actor’s Work

Francois Arnaud was in “The Borgias,” which was one of those shows I always meant to watch but never got around to. Connor Storrie was in that flop Joker movie, and from the two seconds of footage I watched, he seemed to do a good job. Hudson Williams, on the other hand, has a freaky resume packed with weird short films that I’ve enjoyed way too much (especially Super Support). Robbie G.K., the guy who plays Kip, features in a few episodes of “Overcompensating,” an Amazon Prime comedy created by Benito Skinner. There’s some fun stuff hiding in these guys’ imdbs. The Showtime thriller “Yellowjackets” features several cast members, including Sophie Nélisse.

Given some of the overzealous behavior I’ve seen from well-intentioned fans online, I would also recommend limiting the amount of content readers consume related to Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. I get that they’re both hot and talented and seem like cool guys, but there’s such a thing as getting too lost in the sauce. Some people may have difficulty distinguishing between the characters these actors portray and the very real people/complete strangers who are entitled to privacy, safety, and personal space (even in online spaces).

Option Four: Listen to the Quinn Original “Ember & Ice”

As far as I understand, Quinn is an app service where people with sexy voices narrate erotic stories. I’m guessing people like me – aka female, sad, and lonely – are the target audience for this app. I keep seeing ads for it when I’m scrolling through Instagram, though they’re backfiring because I find all the moaning and sighing in them so creepy and off-putting. So anyway, the two main actors from the show, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, recorded an original, 3-episode story about two fairy princes from rival kingdoms who fall in love. My conscience won’t let me recommend anything that makes me cringe, so I have to be honest: this was not great. Maybe it’s because I’m not a huge fan of romantasy, or because I’ve read too much bad romantasy. I thought the storyline was underdeveloped and overshadowed by ball-slapping sound effects. Kudos to the actors for being good sports about it.

The hot doctor from “The Pitt” recently recorded something for Quinn, so if that sounds like a good time to you, check it out.

Option Five: Watch Other LGBTQ+ Shows

While there are so many well-made queer stories, there are far fewer queer stories with objectively happy endings. So here are a few shows I’ve watched that have made me smile:

• “Schitt’s Creek” is a bit obvious, but the unexpected relationship that develops between David and Patrick is so exciting, yet feels incredibly natural. If you haven’t watched this show yet, please give it a chance. It’s one of those few shows that ended when the creators knew it was time, and it rightfully stands as one of the best comedy shows ever made.
• “Overcompensating,” the semi-autobiographical story of a high school football player who goes to college and finds the courage to come out. Created by Benito Skinner, the show features hilarious settings and complicated, sometimes antagonistic characters. I spent a lot of this show going “No, Carmen/Benny, don’t” and I can’t wait for season 2. Technically, I wouldn’t call this show “happy,” but it did make me laugh, and that’s close to the same thing, right?
• “Special,” a gay man with cerebral palsy, strives for independence and an identity beyond being disabled. This show is also fun because it features two actors from “Ghosts” who play siblings on that show but are romantic leads here, which must have been weird for them. Created by and starring Ryan O’Connell, this show was unafraid to show the main character, a queer, disabled man, as a flawed, sometimes crappy person, who was trying to find his way in the world.
• “English Teacher,” an openly gay teacher navigates life and love in Austin, Texas. “English Teacher” tackled difficult subjects with sensitivity and humor. It brought a level of honesty to its stories that I don’t often see in other romantic comedies, like the realities of being in an open relationship. (Note: I was torn about recommending this show because of allegations made against the show’s creator, Brian Jordan Alvarez, but I’m suggesting the show in the hopes that maybe some of the storylines will resonate with and potentially uplift people.)

Option Six: Watch that other show with the Russian and Japanese ice skaters falling in love

“Yuri!!! on ICE” is a 2016 sports anime that briefly made it impossible for me to scroll Tumblr without seeing something about figure skating or boys kissing. My appreciation for anime is limited, so I never got into it, but I had friends who adored this show. 2016 was a rough year, so I treasure anything that brought a spark of joy to their lives. For a future blog post, I could watch the show and see how it compares to “Heated Rivalry,” in terms of production value, writing, chemistry between the actors, and moments that make me look up from my computer to make sure no one is watching me. That all depends on what my readers (aka all my friends from school) would like to see.

Option Seven: Support Women’s Hockey and the PWHL

This suggestion might seem like I’m skipping a step (because men’s hockey usually receives all the attention), but hear me out. Men’s hockey, while fast and action-packed and relatively cheap if you live in the Bay Area, is rife with homophobia, sexism, and other terrible behavior. On the other hand, women’s hockey seems pretty cool. The US Women’s Hockey team has dominated the Olympics for years, showcasing incredible skill and talent, yet their accomplishments are often dismissed as less important than those in men’s hockey. It may be a while before we have “the first husbands of hockey,” but women’s hockey has a noted history of “rival” players falling in love, which delights me to no end. Men’s hockey may be over for the season, but women’s hockey is currently in the playoffs, and you can stream it on YouTube.

Option Eight: Check out these movies

“In the Mood for Love” is a 2000 film by Wong Kar-wai and is about two people who realize their spouses are having an affair. They spend more time together to understand how this came to be and fall in love, despite social circumstances that prevent them from being together. It’s a beautiful movie known for its rich green-and-red palette and the remarkable performances by the lead actors, and it has only grown in prestige since its debut. But it is not the kind of movie you should watch if you’re having a bad day and need something uplifting. It’s a movie where the joy you feel is belated and in the suffering, because it reminds you of the range and complexity of the human experience and the rare beauty of requited love.

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If you need something dumb and happy, there are plenty of other movies to choose from. The other day, I embraced my inner Trevor Lefkowitz and watched the ’90s sports romance, “The Cutting Edge.” While it makes no sense that an ice skater too disabled to play hockey would somehow make an amazing figure skater, once I suspended my disbelief, I had a good time. “Red, White, and Royal Blue” may not be in the same caliber as “In the Mood for Love,” (though it does reference it), but it’s a funny story about two queer men overcoming obstacles to be together. It has a happy ending and is getting a sequel, which I plan on watching.

I like feeling nice sometimes; so sue me.

To anyone who’s read this far, I would love to hear your suggestions for how to tolerate the gap between now and the next season. As much as I’ve enjoyed watching this series, I’ve especially loved how it’s inspired me to explore other shows, movies, and hobbies I hadn’t previously considered. While I may never have a steamy, secret romance with my athletic rival, I can vicariously live through the many artistic works that evoke those same feelings.

I can also live with the hope that because this particular romance novel adaptation blew up, my dream of Ruby Dixon’s “Ice Planet Barbarians” becoming a TV series (and my being hired to write for it) might come true.