EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 22 MIN
Episode 2 - Heated Rivalry
from RESIST: Joy Filled Stories for Dystopian Days · host Katy Murray aka katycatalyst
Why “Heated Rivalry” Is a Joy-Filled, Anti-Dystopian Love Story (and Why Straight White Men Should Watch It)hi I'm Katy Murray and welcome to my mini-series 'joy-filled stories for dystopian days', in this episode exploring why viewers are so obsessed with queer hockey show Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO), created by Jacob Tierney, starring Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Francois Arnaud, and based on Rachel Reid’s novels. I frame the show’s impact through three lenses: the joy of the art itself, the joy of learning about the makers, and the joy of the fandom and societal ripple effects. We talk about the show's tender, consent-centered intimacy; stereotype-flipping portrayals of masculinity, queerness, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health, immigration, and friendships with women; the production’s intentional, inclusive, 'anti-fascist' working culture; how this show provides a soothing balm that calms our nervous systems, offers hope, and helps us resist and reimagine liveable futures through these dystopian days. Here are the time stamps: 00:00 Joy as Resistance00:42 Why Are We So Obsessed with Heated Rivalry01:51 Tender Intimacy Onscreen05:55 Stereotypes Flipped07:38 How It Was Made11:28 These Actors and Modelling New Masculinity13:22 Fandom and Cultural Moment14:37 A Corrective Story19:28 Comfort and Addictiveness20:28 Ripple Effects and Wrap Up 21:27 Next Episode and ConnectIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe and share with a friend !You can connect with Katy and book a coaching discovery call at www.katycatalyst.com Artwork by Francesca Kadar 'Persephone' by Uppbeat
What this episode covers
Why “Heated Rivalry” Is a Joy-Filled, Anti-Dystopian Love Story (and Why Straight White Men Should Watch It)hi I'm Katy Murray and welcome to my mini-series 'joy-filled stories for dystopian days', in this episode exploring why viewers are so obsessed with queer hockey show Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO), created by Jacob Tierney, starring Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Francois Arnaud, and based on Rachel Reid’s novels. I frame the show’s impact through three lenses: the joy of the art itself, the joy of learning about the makers, and the joy of the fandom and societal ripple effects. We talk about the show's tender, consent-centered intimacy; stereotype-flipping portrayals of masculinity, queerness, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health, immigration, and friendships with women; the production’s intentional, inclusive, 'anti-fascist' working culture; how this show provides a soothing balm that calms our nervous systems, offers hope, and helps us resist and reimagine liveable futures through these dystopian days. Here are the time stamps: 00:00 Joy as Resistance00:42 Why Are We So Obsessed with Heated Rivalry01:51 Tender Intimacy Onscreen05:55 Stereotypes Flipped07:38 How It Was Made11:28 These Actors and Modelling New Masculinity13:22 Fandom and Cultural Moment14:37 A Corrective Story19:28 Comfort and Addictiveness20:28 Ripple Effects and Wrap Up 21:27 Next Episode and ConnectIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe and share with a friend !You can connect with Katy and book a coaching discovery call at www.katycatalyst.com Artwork by Francesca Kadar 'Persephone' by Uppbeat
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Episode 2 - Heated Rivalry
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