The first season of HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry has captivated audiences with its story of two rival hockey players navigating a secret relationship. As the season unfolded, each episode built on the intense personal and professional drama between Ilya and Shane. Based on fan ratings from IMDb, every episode scored exceptionally high, with viewer approval clearly increasing as the story reached its climax. This ranking reveals which parts of their complicated journey resonated most powerfully with the audience.
From Rivals to Lovers: The Premise of Heated Rivalry
The series follows Ilya and Shane, two elite professional hockey players who are fierce competitors on the ice. At the start of their careers, they feel a powerful and unexpected attraction to each other. The core conflict of the show revolves around their struggle to balance this growing romantic connection with the demands of their sporting careers and public personas. The show is an adaptation of author Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changers novel series, which has contributed to a dedicated fanbase eager to see the story brought to life.
Ranking All Five Episodes from Lowest to Highest IMDb Rating
The entire first season has earned impressive scores on IMDb, with the overall series holding a rating of 9.1 out of 10. However, individual episode ratings show how viewer engagement shifted and intensified throughout the five-episode arc. The scores range from an already-high 9.2 for the premiere to a rare and perfect 10 for the season’s conclusion.
Episode 1: “Rookies” (IMDb Rating: 9.2/10)
The series premiere, “Rookies,” sets the foundation for the entire story. It introduces Ilya and Shane as they begin their professional hockey careers and experience their first unexpected moments of attraction. The episode blends sports action with the initial setup of the characters’ complicated dynamic. While fans appreciated the strong start, the rating suggests the season’s later episodes offered even deeper emotional development.
Episode 3: “Hunter” (IMDb Rating: 9.3/10)
In the third episode, titled “Hunter,” the personal and professional pressures on Ilya and Shane create significant conflict. An unexpected meeting reignites their chemistry, forcing them to confront the tension between their careers and their private feelings. The episode introduces a new character, Hunter, who adds another layer to the evolving story. The IMDb rating of 9.3 indicates that audiences responded well to the raised stakes and the balance between the characters’ dual struggles.
Episode 2: “Olympians” (IMDb Rating: 9.4/10)
“Heated Rivalry” increased its pace with the second episode, “Olympians”. The story follows Ilya and Shane as they try to keep their relationship secret while facing immense pressure from their sporting careers. The setting of the Olympic Games raises the stakes, making every interaction and decision feel more significant. The rating of 9.4 shows that viewers were hooked by the growing romance set against a backdrop of high-stakes global competition.
Episode 4: “Rose” (IMDb Rating: 9.6/10)
The fourth episode brings a new level of emotional intensity and complication. Titled “Rose,” it introduces a new character of the same name into Shane’s life, which surprises the audience and creates a major new obstacle for the central relationship. The episode deals with raw vulnerability and the real-world consequences of the characters’ choices. The high score of 9.6 reflects that fans appreciated this dramatic twist and the heightened tension it created.
Episode 5: “I’ll Believe in Anything” (IMDb Rating: 10/10)
The season finale achieved a rare and perfect IMDb score of 10 out of 10. In “I’ll Believe in Anything,” the season-long building tension reaches a breaking point as Ilya, Shane, and another key character, Scott, each face monumental life decisions. The episode is noted for delivering a powerful payoff to the emotional plots that had developed over the season, while also ending on a cliffhanger that leaves viewers eager for more. This exceptional rating signifies an immersive and deeply satisfying experience for the audience.
Fan and Critical Reception for the Breakout Series
The series has been met with strong praise from viewers, particularly those familiar with the source material. Many fans have called it one of the most faithful book-to-screen adaptations they have seen, applauding the casting and the actors’ chemistry. The show successfully blends the excitement of sports drama with a compelling and complex love story. Following its two-episode premiere on November 28, 2025, Heated Rivalry quickly climbed the streaming charts on HBO Max, establishing itself as a popular new entry.
One fan review on IMDb stated, “This has been the VERY best book-to-series adaption I have ever seen. The script remains faithful to the book… The leads have so much raw chemistry I could sit and watch them all day.”
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How to Watch Heated Rivalry
All episodes of Heated Rivalry are available for streaming exclusively on HBO Max. The series is rated TV-MA. For viewers who check episode ratings before watching, the consistently high IMDb scores across the season indicate a story that not only starts strong but gets even better as it progresses.
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