HBO's provocative gay romance series, Heated Rivalry, has smashed a monumental television record. Its fifth episode has now achieved a perfect 10-star rating on IMDb, tying it with one of the most critically acclaimed episodes in TV history.
A Perfect Score on IMDb
The episode in question, titled 'I'll Believe In Anything', has officially drawn level with Breaking Bad's legendary episode 'Ozymandias' (season five, episode fourteen). This places the steamy Canadian drama at the very pinnacle of IMDb's user-rated television episodes. In doing so, it has surpassed other highly-rated instalments, including the finales of Six Feet Under and BoJack Horseman.
Fans have flooded online platforms with praise for the groundbreaking episode. One viewer remarked on the superb acting, noting, 'So much is conveyed through the tiniest expressions in their faces and body language.' Another stated they had told their mother it was 'the greatest episode of television I’ve ever seen', a sentiment clearly echoed by thousands of voters on the database.
From BookTok Smash to Screen Sensation
Adapted from a viral BookTok hit by author Rachel Reid, the series charts the secret, years-long romance between two rival professional hockey players, portrayed by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. Since its premiere on 28 November, it has become one of HBO Max's most-watched shows, trending consistently on social media despite its origins on the Canadian service Crave and its relatively unknown cast.
The show's explicit gay sex scenes, which have gone viral online, were almost a casualty of network interference. Creator Jacob Tierney revealed to Slate that an executive suggested delaying the characters' physical relationship until a potential second season. 'I was like, "What are you f***ing talking about?!" These books are porn. You think that the audience is here despite that? They’re here for this,' Tierney recalled. He ultimately decided to 'trust his gut' and include the graphic content, joking to Rolling Stone that he 'wanted to make premium smut.'
Polarising Reception and Viral Success
The series has generated intense discussion and a decidedly mixed critical response. While countless fans celebrate its unapologetic portrayal of queer desire, calling it 'the hottest BL series I've ever watch', others have criticised it as 'shallow' and overly focused on its sexual content. Some detractors have labelled it a 'cash grab'.
Nevertheless, its record-breaking IMDb achievement underscores its significant cultural impact and powerful word-of-mouth success. By tying with a titan of television like Breaking Bad, Heated Rivalry has cemented its place as a viral phenomenon that is reshaping conversations about romance and representation on screen.
