will you come to my cottage this summer?

the way that people frame it as if him choosing shane means he’s not attracted to women anymore, or that he’s not attracted to anyone except shane anymore

the way people act like it would’ve been so easy for him to just choose to end up with a woman instead as if the only thing a bisexual person could possibly care about in a partner is 1. can i fuck them 2. can i avoid homophobia

the way people pathologise his history of casual sex to try and make out like it wasn’t his choice and it was never something he actually enjoyed

the way ilya being with women/talking to shane about women during the situationship is seen as inherently more slutty and fuckboy-esque than if he’d done the same but with men

the way people act that him choosing shane is proof that he’s actually gay bc no bisexual man would ever choose a man as their long term partner. the way people act like it’s a good thing bc thank god ilya isn’t one of those real bisexuals, the ones who cheat and lie and can never be satisfied with one partner and will always insist on forcing their partner into an open relationship or a threesome

the way ilya won’t read this shit but your bi friends will

there's concern there. it's obvious. and it's SO common when it comes to bisexuality bc there's this huge and annoying misconception that bisexual people are unfaithful unloyal cheaters. and you can see it in her face as she processes the information that this is an immediate concern for her and for her son.

and now let's look at ilya's face

now he's concerned, because he knows he has to explain himself (which he does. he shouldn't have to but he does) and he's basically throwing out a hail mary to shane's parents that says hey, wait, no, i'm not gonna cheat on your son. i love your son. just because i'm bisexual doesn't mean i would hurt shane.

shane & ilya + alcohol

Heated Rivalry (2025-) dir. Jacob Tierney

The Ilya we see in Heated rivalry would not be throwing the first punch, he's not an enforcer. Ilya is a star center and a Pest. He wouldn't be doing his job correctly if he was punching players every other game, it would end up with not enough ice time to let him be the playmaker he's paid to be.

But being a pest can be playmaking! Find a player to bait, emotionally push them just enough that they try to fight you, and then get the fuck out of there before the ref gives you both penalties. This gets your team the power play. There is probably someone on Ilya's line dedicated to helping him get out of the fights he starts, and finishing them for him!

I also think this is also something that Shane would respect. Ilya is good at it and it's a good strategy for his team. I don't think Shane would see it as some dirty tactic, because Shane probably thinks everyone with a brain can see it for what it is! He probably thinks everyone should be able to see that being an asshole is a tactic for Ilya, that it's something to ignore and not fall for, that it's a strategy and not personal beef.

KSENIA DANIELA KHARLAMOVA as SVETLANA VETROVA

Hudson Williams at the Bell Media Upfront 2026 Red Carpet