One thing I haven't seen discussed a lot, and that's been executed so well, is the portrayal of Shane's autism and struggle to understand subtext/implied meaning, in relation to Ilya's internal struggle regarding his own family.
We are starting off strong with the introduction of Ilya's father in episode 1, where right off the bat, he calls Ilya lazy and in need of discipline after just having signed his rookie deal. We later see his father shaming Ilya for losing a game, basically calling him a disgrace (right after his brother used a slur against him), while Ilya goes quiet, enduring the treatment he's used to. We also have his brother telling him that they can live without him, so there's that.
In the very same episode, we see the first time Shane misses the cues regarding Ilya's family history on the rooftop, when he tells Ilya, "You're just up here sulking because, what, you couldn't take another victory lap around me?" and Ilya replies with "Not everything is about you!". To be fair, Shane can't know at this point, that losing this award would mean more punishment from his father, but still, Ilya is visibly tense and upset, so when he tells Shane that he'll be going back to Russia, and Shane says that it must be nice, it's clear that he entirely missed the physical cues from Ilya, which would have told him that it is, in fact, not nice at all.
In episode 2, we are focusing on the Winter Olympics, with Shane guessing that Ilya's family must be happy that they're in Russia, to which Ilya is slow to reply at all. In the same breath, Shane asks if his family is gonna be there, and Ilya reluctantly discloses that his father and brother might come. It is glaringly obvious that this is, again, not something he is looking forward to, but Shane misses it, and instead focuses on the support he receives from his own parents. The contrast is gut-wrenching - Shane's parents are thousands of miles away and still show up, Ilya's family is right there, and emotionally couldn't be further away from him. And Shane misses that because in his small world, parents are supportive, so why would it be different for Ilya?
But oh, oh, then we get the first crack in Shane's understanding, and it's awkward and beautiful and complicated and heartbreaking all at once. Cut to Russia, Shane sitting in that café, with Scott and Vaughan joining him, the latter pointing out that Russia isn't safe for gay people, something that serves as a gut punch for Shane, who is figuring out in real time that they are in Russia, and Ilya is in Russia, and Ilya is Russian and (presumably) gay, and oh no, oh nonono, how did he miss this? How must Ilya be feeling? He really needs to know if he's okay and safe asap. So, when he spots Ilya, he walks up to him, but Ilya is, of course, tense. That should have been answer enough. Ilya knows they can't get caught, not here, in Russia, but Shane still needs verbal confirmation, so he asks if he's okay. And Ilya doesn't let him in, even though his body language speaks for itself - or so he thinks. But Shane, sweet rejection-sensitive Shane, thinks Ilya simply doesn't want anything to do with him, so he gets defensive and leaves, even when it's clear that Ilya is hating every second of his stay in Russia.
When we get to Vegas, Shane finally tries a more direct approach, when he asks Ilya if he's going back to Russia, and then asks him why he is going back. Ilya tries to explain that Russia is home, even if it's hard and complicated and messy, but Shane doesn't understand, asks if it's safe and if he even likes it there. And honestly, what a bloody brilliant question and one we see Ilya contemplating long after Shane is gone, because to Ilya it's always been clear that he doesn't have a choice, but Shane, inadvertently, opened up a door that's been closed for far too long. Even when Ilya deflects, again and asks him what difference it makes if he likes it there. To Shane, for once, it's clear. At the same time, he completely misses the conflicting feelings someone experiences who has been nothing but abused by his family, but feels responsible for them anyway, simply because they are family, they are home, and you don't just give up home.
In episode 4, we have the phone calls between Ilya and his father/his brother that Shane witnesses and asks about, trying to open up the conversation about Ilya's family, which Ilya quickly shuts down again, and Shane, ever insecure, doesn't dare to probe again when Ilya doesn't give him an answer.
Episode 5 then gives us the breakthrough in the hotel room in Florida, where Ilya, for the first time ever, is being open and direct with Shane about his family. He also repeats the sentiment of "does it matter how I feel?" and I love the parallel to episode 2, where Shane asked him about going home. This scene, in a lot of ways, is yet another mirror scene and beautiful storytelling. And of course Shane, at first, misunderstands when Ilya tells him he wouldn't be able to go back to Russia. Ilya clarifies, clearly upset and still very much held back by his loyalty to his family and home country, certain he won't ever be allowed to be happy - and for the very first time, he shows Shane his true emotions and lets Shane comfort him, too. This scene serves as a turning point in their relationship but also in Shane's understanding of Ilya's internal struggles, and we see the change when he later asks Ilya about his family again, and Ilya deflects, but there's no longer a real bite behind it, because he has realised Shane truly cares about him.
By the time we get to their phone call, there is no more pretence left. Ilya is honest about his family being a mess, about him not being okay, and Shane is able to respond to that, is able to offer comfort, something Ilya hasn't been used to up until that point, at least not to this extent. Again, a mirror scene - Shane is thousands of miles away and still showing up for Ilya, the same way Shane's parents showed up for him when he was in Russia. And while Shane doesn't understand a word Ilya is saying, he does feel the underlying emotions, and that's enough for the moment. And, it's still the first time Ilya verbalises just how deep the pain he feels about his own family goes.
Finally, we get this beautiful moment of vulnerability between them, showing just how far they've come in figuring out how to communicate, how to open up, how to understand. It shows us that even if Shane has been unable to read between the lines for years, he does want to show up and be there for Ilya. He does want to hear about his thoughts, feelings and struggles. Likewise, Ilya learned that Shane needs direct communication, and he's willing to give him that, because in return, he receives so, so much love and support.
In short: Ilya's struggles with his home country and family create a focal point, that, through the years, serves an example of how Ilya's and Shane's relationship evolves, both in terms of communication, vulnerability and trust, and it really is so subtle because these moments are so fleeting, but in the end it all comes together so heartbreakingly beautiful and it's yet another thing I absolutely adore about this show.
