REVIEW: ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 1 Episode 3 - Hunter Proves A Smoothie Can Change Everything

Jay Belle
Dec 4, 2025
2 min read

Heated Rivalry © HBO Max/Crave Canada — *Heated Rivalry* © HBO Max/Crave Canada

Heated Rivalry did something I did not expect to be done in the first season of a series and that was give one of its side characters from the first two episodes an entirely dedicated episode... And honestly, it worked for me.

In this week’s episode, we finally dive into the backstory of François Arnaud’s character, Scott Hunter. As many viewers suspected back in episode one, it’s now confirmed that Scott is gay and keeping his sexuality a secret. Still reeling from his losses to Rozanov and Hollander in the previous episode, Scott throws himself into an intense training session. Afterwards, he stops by a smoothie shop, where he meets the charming Kip (played by Robbie G. K.). What begins as a casual encounter quickly turns into a series of regular ‘encounters’ that eventually leads to the two hooking up.

Not long after their first intimate moment, Scott admits he genuinely likes Kip, though he also makes it clear he isn’t ready to come out. It’s a dynamic that will feel deeply familiar to many queer viewers: developing real feelings for someone who isn’t yet able to live openly.

Scott and Kip begin seeing each other, and their early days together are so sweet and charming that it’s almost easy to forget the inevitable conversation looming over them: the secrecy of their relationship. They spend nights together, attend a gala, and share plenty of steamy moments. And if the last two episodes’ sex scenes had you feeling any type of way, this week’s episode turns up the heat even more.

Everything comes crashing down when Kip’s best friend confronts Scott at the gala. In a semi-intense exchange, she warns him that keeping the relationship hidden will only end up hurting Kip and by extension, Scott himself. She tells him they both “deserve the sun,” a reminder that their secrecy is forcing them to live in the shadows rather than embracing the possibility of something honest and open.

After the confrontation at the gala, Kip begins to pull away from Scott, choosing instead to lean on his friends as he prepares for his birthday celebration. The episode ends with Scott watching from outside the window, quietly observing the joy inside a moment that shows how much he longs to openly celebrate the person he loves.

This episode is an unexpected yet strong addition to the series, offering new depth and genuinely relatable moments. If Heated Rivalry continues delivering episodes with this level of emotional complexity and character development, it’s well on its way to becoming one of my favorite shows of 2025.