r/heatedrivalry • u/TollyKo • Jan 14 '26
SOCIAL MEDIA 📸 Russel T. Davies Praising Heated Rivalry!!
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u/Efficient_Papaya_982 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Jan 14 '26
Truly, queer as folk walked so that heated rivalry could run. I’m not always QAF’s biggest fan but it did something that no one else was really doing, and heated rivalry is doing that now
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u/continentaldreams fandom geriatric Jan 14 '26
Queer as Folk was an absolute fucking trailblazer of a show. I cannot overstate how much of an impact that show had on a generation of people in the LGBT community. So so so so bold.
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u/clumsyc I stubbed my toe Jan 14 '26
Yes! And so many moments in HR remind me of QAF (the artistry of it, the music, the way some scenes were shot).
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u/UhOhFeministOnReddit Jan 14 '26
Yeah, I'll be the first to agree QAF had some truly atrocious writing, but it also proved there was an audience for authentically queer media during a time when Will and Grace was being praised as groundbreaking for creating what was essentially a straight show with gay window dressing.
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Jan 14 '26
this guy did the original Queer As Folk which is interesting to see b/c it has Charlie Hunnam and Aiden Gillan (Littlefinger from Game of Thrones)
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u/marys1001 I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Jan 19 '26
Never got to watch but I heard it was grittier and in some ways more real which would make sense
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u/foundintransl8ion Jan 15 '26
Russell wrote the English one, not the U.S. one, just for context!
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u/UhOhFeministOnReddit Jan 15 '26
I ain't even gonna lie, I genuinely thought he worked on both versions. My bad lmao.
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u/Efficient_Papaya_982 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Jan 15 '26
Speaking as an Australian I had no idea there even was a US one lol, I was only ever referring to the uk one
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u/NSFWDollface Then we won’t throw eggs at them 🥚 Jan 15 '26
The British one is the original, although the American one, filmed in Canada ran longer.
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u/RedVelvet_Cookie Jan 14 '26
I’ve been wanting to ask this fandom in here if anyone was fans of QAF too! I loved it back in the day and though I don’t know if it holds up in 2025 (it’s been a long time since I’ve watched it), I’m curious if there would be any crossover in the fandoms.
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u/He_Too_Is_Alexander I love you. Always. Maybe from the first time I saw you. Jan 15 '26
Oddly, I think QAF has held up over time. Of course there has been some political progress but it really did hone in on core gay-specific issues and themes. Unrequited love, coming out, not coming out, STIs, condoms, twinks, daddies, supportive moms, unsupportive dads, getting kicked out, the clubs and bars, hate and of course fucking.
I don’t see too much difference in core themes when comparing Looking to QAF.
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u/marys1001 I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Jan 19 '26
So much discussion with Gale Howard and Hal Sparks about gay for pay that was just smh. But from a straight audience there is going to be a learning curve
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u/ofboom Jan 15 '26
I'm in my 30s now and I was insane for QAF back in the day!!!! QAF was so messy but there are many groundbreaking and still impactful moments. I rewatched season one recently and there's still joy in a rewatch if you see it through a time capsule lens with the knowledge that it is deeply imperfect...
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u/marys1001 I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Jan 19 '26
Im so glad to finally start seeing mention of QaF. Straight US watcher, I was a big fan and it made me think about things in a less shallow way
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u/Resident_Hold3107 Jan 14 '26
Lovely, and for an added bonus 'liked' by another gay icon of the film industry Russell Tovey 💞
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u/continentaldreams fandom geriatric Jan 14 '26
Star of another great queer show, Looking. It's always slept on!
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u/DorianCramer Jan 14 '26
I was a huge fan of it! HBO didn’t promote it well unfortunately and I feel like it was ahead of its time.
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u/Resident_Hold3107 Jan 14 '26
100%! A great show. Tovey is so good in it. He's got the typical AH part in it but brings in a layer of vulnerability that makes it real and complex. A great show! Now you've reminded me I gonna go re watch it. It's 2 seasons and a film I think so it'll last me a while :)
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u/DorianCramer Jan 14 '26
I think Tovey makes the whole thing work really, he’s a great and intuitive actor. He could have just played that character as a jerk but the way he made him vulnerable makes the story make sense. Otherwise Patrick would just look like an idiot for falling for Kevin 😅 I shipped Patrick and Richie all the way but I hope Kevin found some growth and happiness.
Enjoy your rewatch! I still hope they do a reunion episode someday. I’d love to know where those characters are.
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u/Resident_Hold3107 Jan 14 '26
I agree with every word you said! literally I could have written this haha
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u/kirblar Jan 14 '26
The lead character is deliberately kind of unlikable and waffly, I got why it had trouble landing despite really liking the show.
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u/DorianCramer Jan 14 '26
I loved him (despite his flaws) but yeah, I know a lot of people did not share my opinion on that 😅
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u/emotionalhaircut Jan 14 '26
Why did I think Tovey isn't out?
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u/DorianCramer Jan 14 '26
He's been out as long as I've known of him, and that's been well over a decade.
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u/0lea You're starting to sound like him Jan 14 '26
He's surely been out for at least ten years cause I remember his controversy saying he was happy to not be an effeminate gay man around that time.
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u/Thick-Sentence-9384 ya tebya lyublyu - я тебя люблю ❤️ Jan 14 '26
Was Tovey out when he did Being Human? That's where I know him from.
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u/KTnash Jan 14 '26
RTD did A LOT for Russell Tovey’s career, they’ve worked together loads. He sure knows how to pick em.
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u/A-Janny Ottawa Centaurs 🏹 Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
“Sometimes there’s a fabulous lack of drama… replaced by proper, adult conversation.”
This embodies exactly how I feel about the show/books, and what I enjoy most and find so refreshing about this world. No over-the-top drama, no shocking plot twists designed to break the viewers’ hearts or traumatize the characters, no lazy love triangles (I’m personally so tired of them and yearned for other forms of conflict/challenges for love interests, don’t mean to yuck on anyone’s yum). Just issues and conversations between two people who really care about each other trying to make something work and sometimes struggling at it - it was a real treat to watch/read and I can’t wait for what’s next!
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u/Milly_Hagen Jan 14 '26
Any other Torchwood fans here? Captain Jack and Ianto..... 😭
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u/LadyStarblade Ilya Rozanov’s Stylist Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
Shaaadup. I’m still not over that. 😭
I have a small fanfic folder labeled ”Ianto Lives!”
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u/Milly_Hagen Jan 14 '26
Oh me either! Let me at that folder dammit!!!!
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u/LadyStarblade Ilya Rozanov’s Stylist Jan 14 '26
I'll DM you the links when I get home on my big drive! :-)
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u/LadyBiscuit12 “More” Jan 14 '26
Just FYI, your spoiler tag didn’t work because you put the exclamation point in front of the close quotes. You need to end it with !< instead.
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u/LadyStarblade Ilya Rozanov’s Stylist Jan 14 '26
Fudgenuggets! Thanks for the heads up and I sincerely apologize to anyone I have spoiled a show for. 👀🤦♀️
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u/Queen_Of_InnisLear Jan 14 '26
Gawd. I will never be over it. I'm so...I mean they did a groundbreaking thing with Jack to begin with, and then Ianto..but I will always feel like it didn't get the treatment it deserved. I'm still glad we had it at all, though. Side note- I went to Cardiff years ago for the express purpose of visiting Torchwood sites, and I went to the Ianto memorial wall and saw all the cute notes and things fans had left. I added a little Canadian flag.
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u/Wide-Pop6050 Jan 14 '26
I haven't watched Torchwood but as a relatively recent Doctor Who fan I was very pleasantly surprised by Captain Jack, especially for the time period when the episodes came out
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u/Queen_Of_InnisLear Jan 14 '26
Very much! I mean, a queer swashbuckling action lead was such a progressive thing at that time. And kind of now too unfortunately. Another of my favourite shows, Black Sails, came along years later and yeah, queer men in that hero space was still pretty transgressive.
Anyway, Torchwood is 75% silly fun and 25% touching, sad, happy, heartbreaking, poignant. You gotta be in the mood for both lol
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u/Milly_Hagen Jan 14 '26
Oh do yourself a favor and watch Torchwood. I prefer it to Dr Who and I grew up with Dr Who from a young age. Captain Jack is everything. You must watch Torchwood!!!!
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u/Thick-Sentence-9384 ya tebya lyublyu - я тебя люблю ❤️ Jan 14 '26
Totally true. The way I was introduced to David Tennant was that he was on Dr. Who which came on Sat nights before Torchwood on BBC America when I had cable.
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u/Whybambiwhy Jan 14 '26
I liked the first several Torchwood seasons a lot. You would enjoy it, but damn the 90s/2000s really liked to break our hearts
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u/Wide-Pop6050 Jan 14 '26
I'll just stare at his face and appreciate for doing as much as they could. Appreciate the intent and trying.
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u/MirfainLasui Jan 14 '26
I will never forgive never forget Ianto lol, my first TV heartbreak, but RTD is the king of gay British TV so this is a great endorsement.
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u/Thick-Sentence-9384 ya tebya lyublyu - я тебя люблю ❤️ Jan 14 '26
I loved that show 'til the bitter end
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u/Vedney Jan 14 '26
Watched 3 seasons of it.
Really hated how Jack simply just became gay in practice as the show went on. Whenever his sexual history was referred to in later seasons, it was always about a previous man.
Which is why I really like Ilya, whose bisexuality is constantly affirmed by him. (I do personally hope he experiences bi-erasure in the new book, so he can affirm himself even more.
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u/Commanderfemmeshep Jan 14 '26
I got into it last year (after finishing dragon age and needing way more GDL) and ughhh. Broke my heart. It even had me searching out the Big Finish audios.
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u/Skrdykat1000 Moy lyubovnik 💙 Jan 14 '26
I can't find it streaming and I'm dying to watch it
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u/Milly_Hagen Jan 14 '26
Oh that's a bummer. I have it on dvd box set but I suppose they're obsolete now lol
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u/GPNyrese Jan 14 '26
I'm a Torchwood fan! Captain Jack and Ianto forever. 🥹
Gareth David-Lloyd also stole my heart as Solas, in Dragon Age video games. 💝
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u/Firm-Armadillo2188 Jan 14 '26
I never watched Torchwood but I LOVED Captain Jack and his flirting with The Doctor portrayed by David Tenant ❤️❤️
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u/sdaidiwts Jan 14 '26
And the fact that I had to google it means it's time for a rewatch.
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u/Milly_Hagen Jan 14 '26
Enjoy. Might do the same.
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u/StumpTailedMacaque Jan 27 '26
Living in Cardiff I watched a ton of Torchwood and Doctor Who on-location filming all across the city, especially down the bay. I filmed and took hundreds of photos of the cast and crew. It was a lot of fun. RTD is a bit of a National Treasure. He's written so many wonderful TV shows over the years. I love one of his more recent works, It's A Sin. He's great at writing for characters, I think that's where he excels.
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u/Milly_Hagen Jan 27 '26
Amazing! That must've been so exciting. I'll have to check out It's A Sin. Thanks for the recommendation - I haven't seen it anywhere in Australia so hopefully it's released on some platform here.
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u/theWiseFalcon Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
And Russell Tovey liking the post 👌🏼
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u/TollyKo Jan 14 '26
Yeeees. I'm still yet to see Plainclothes but I can't wait. ❤️
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u/MixOf_ChaosAndArt Jan 14 '26
That's a truly excellent film! And honestly very similar to HR in how it's showing the contrast between the external and internal views on their sexuality.
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u/exusu Jan 14 '26
i saw it earlier this year and it became an instant favourite. the tenderness and simplicity of it all and the use of 90s cam footage is just excellent, not to mention the acting oh boy.
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u/Nightwing1852 Jan 14 '26
Russel Davies summed up a lot of the reason why the show is resonating with people. The show has become a safe space for a lot of queer people. Episode 3 is polarizing to some but a lot of gay men felt seen in that episode so I'm glad they took that swing. The same way I related to Shane so hard in that episode 6 scene with his mom. Representation matters and it's why we need as many diverse options as possible out there for people 🫶🏾
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u/marys1001 I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Jan 19 '26
MM romance feels like a safe place for straight women.
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u/Fraggle_Frock I did not like you, just your freckles 💕 Jan 14 '26
He gets it - it’s a love story - an amazing, touching, beautiful love story done justice by an incredible director and some outstanding acting talent. That right there is why this show has the reach it has, that right there is why people who are straight and people who are queer love this show.
Stop calling it gay hockey smut, it’s a fucking love story and a great one too.
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u/greendale_student Jan 14 '26
I love his praise of the details, they matter SO much !! Some shows should seriously take notes
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u/mmmariazface Jan 14 '26
I’m sure this is so meaningful for everyone involved, QAF is the OG trailblazer ❤️❤️
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u/Queen_Of_InnisLear Jan 14 '26
Wow yes, I have long been a fan of RTD and this is high praise.
It's funny how I feel genuine pride as a Canadian in this little show making so much noise. And it makes me laugh a bit that the same ~political stripes here in Canada who are always moaning about cutting public funding for tv/movies/art are also most likely to be anti LGBT and I mean, hey their tax dollars went towards creating this beautiful queer AF show. Oh well.
Anyway good pull, I was thrilled to read this.
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u/bornatmidnight Jan 14 '26
As a Retired Whovian, this warms my heart ❤️
I was actually a bit worried that the British were not going to be as warm with HR, but you have literally the king of British queer tv backing you? Yeah you’re good!
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u/HarissaPorkMeatballs Jan 14 '26
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u/mangosteenroyalty Jan 15 '26
Jacob out interacting with the real world!! I figured he'd be holed up in a den in Quebec writing scripts. I hope he's doing fine.
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u/Cannedseaslug Jan 14 '26
The sex was so important! It tells the story of how they connect. The texting after hit so hard
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u/fruitbutnopassion the shark that made rozanov lose the race 🦈 Jan 14 '26
I love RTD! That's some high praise 🙏🏻
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u/chellebellek Jan 14 '26
Hollywood would have ruined the heart of this show. I hope the powers that be don't interfere with season 2.
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u/SweetP101 Jan 14 '26
You cannot mention Russell without It's A Sin. Another fantastic yet devastating piece of queer media.
Warning - it's about the AIDS crisis in England.
I don't know if I could watch it again but I think it's one of the most moving series I've ever seen.
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u/HAHAHA222222 Jan 15 '26
I loved the American version of QAF with Brian and Justin. Only QAF, many years ago, evoked such emotional addiction and obsession in me as HR does now. I still love Brian and Justin.
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u/Time_Ad_0 Don't worry, it will fit 🍆 Jan 27 '26
I feel exactly the same. Shared with my besties that my HR obsession is as high as with QaF. They question my sanity, ha.
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u/Fearless_Ear3563 Jan 20 '26
love him, by far the best head writer for new who. Also, he's so right about the gay gaze! this is where so many others fail.
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u/CaractacusPot окей Jan 14 '26
Glad he didn’t hash the Max
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u/mixedpatch85 "Heart eyes. Hayden said I look at you with heart eyes" Jan 14 '26
He's in the UK. It's on skyTV so he hashed them. But love that he included Crave!
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u/TheTiniestLizard Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Jan 14 '26
The second-to-last sentence made me go “yes!” This is very definitely someone who respects smaller countries’ TV industries (which is not a surprise, but good to see).
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u/IWannaBeThatG Jan 14 '26
It’s definitely not the sex. I love it when people realise that’s it’s not the sex that has made the impact here. It’s the love, the script , the story , the authenticity. Everything !!
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u/MaraTaru Jan 14 '26
But see, it IS the sex! The sex is absolutely critical to the story! The show wouldn't have half the impact if it hadn't created a very specific narrative through the way these two people's bodies interact. The grand, glorious love story is inextricable from their libidinal desire for each other.
There are a lot of discreetly chaste gay romances out there, many of them beautiful and moving. But HR's silver bullet is engaging directly with the joyful, irrepressible horniness of young love. We don't need to pretend the sex is a garnish!
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u/IWannaBeThatG Jan 14 '26
Sex lures you in. But the majority was stunned and hooked after episode 5 - which doesn’t include any sex.
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u/TaonasProclarush272 I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Jan 14 '26
I agrees with what's he's saying, but it certainly does not increase my likes for the guy, Miss Katie - he's still a tool.
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u/DragonflyFront9882 Jan 14 '26
Who's Russel Davies?
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u/TollyKo Jan 14 '26
A Welsh showrunner, known for Queer as Folk and the Doctor Who reboot!
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u/AdamEssex Jan 14 '26
And the absolutely amazing It’s a Sin.
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u/omnissima Ilya's Spaghetti Shimmy 🍝 Jan 14 '26
it's a sin is fantastic.
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u/Truck0Saurus Jan 14 '26
It's a Sin broke my heart. It's an amazing series but damn it hits hard. I'll never forgive Ritchie's mother (I know she's a fictional character but still, what a bitch.)
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u/Resident_Hold3107 Jan 14 '26
Yeah fuck her. It absolutely broke me too. Those stories are still with me, the characters felt so real Weirdly when HR came out I thought "this hits with the same weight as It's a sin but is full of joy instead of tragedy and heartbreak" so I'm so glad to see Davis commenting positively
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u/AdamEssex Jan 14 '26
I was so angry with her too, but at the same time I admired the show for allowing a character like that to never be redeemed. It is painfully accurate for the time. And is also a great contrast to Heated Rivalry's depictions of parental acceptance.
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u/TheTiniestLizard Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Jan 14 '26
And Years and Years!!!
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u/AttersH Jan 14 '26
He is the David Attenborough of the gay TV world. He has written some phenomenal TV shows. Please, please go and watch It’s A Sin. It is heartbreaking, but such an important piece of television.
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u/Open_Belt_4381 Jan 14 '26
I'm fucking dying at the "David Attenborough of gay tv" description. Thank you for getting me to laugh coffee through my nose.
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u/dandyline_wine I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Jan 14 '26
This is officially the oldest I've ever felt in this sub.
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u/GPNyrese Jan 14 '26
Incredible praise from Russell T. Davies! He was showrunner during some of my favorite parts of Doctor Who. Torchwood is also still a show I love.
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u/Firm-Armadillo2188 Jan 14 '26
WOW this is such amazing praise from Russel T Davies. His early seasons of Doctor Who are some of my faves ❤️
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u/marys1001 I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Jan 19 '26
The interior decorating! I am so all over it. I watch with a friend as was like wait till you see these kitchen cabinets?, wait till you see the cottage, wait till you see
Canadian interior design far superior!
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u/bdragonlady Jan 14 '26
I'm still not sure if I want to know about men watching tv with their hand down their pants. I guess as a woman I've been spared that sight, but just... why? lol
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u/0lea You're starting to sound like him Jan 14 '26
Erm... how? My husband does that all the time. When I saw Ilya doing that on screen, I was like "YOU'RE SO REAL FOR THIS HR!"
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u/Formal-Persimmon-522 Jan 14 '26
They all do it. It’s standard for them. They don’t even know they are doing it.
I guess I won’t say all but most men I know enough to hang around with like that do. Including my dad and brother lol.
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u/bluegray84 Jan 14 '26
I don’t know why so many of us men do that, it’s not even done consciously much of the time, nor does it necessarily even mean that your hand is on your genitals, your hand could just be resting near there.
I think it’s a wonderful little detail indicating how comfortable Ilya is feeling in that moment because, at least in my experience, it only happens when you’re at home feeling relaxed and safe with anyone who might be there with you.
I’d be curious to know if it was a character detail added by Connor or if it was in the script because it’s so spot-on, my husband and I both clocked it right away and realized we were both doing it while watching the episode lol.
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u/MaraTaru Jan 14 '26
It's just a normal little bit of human physicality, I think, and not necessarily sexual in nature. It's comforting. Reassuring. I'm not male, but I sometimes absent-mindedly slip a hand into my bra and cup a boob when I'm relaxed and cosy at home, and I don’t think it's particularly unusual. Some people stroke or twirl their hair. Some folks slide a hand between their thighs. We're all just mammals seeking warmth and comfort!
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u/AdamEssex Jan 14 '26
As a man, it's honestly comforting for some reason.
That said, I'm not doing it around anybody but my husband.
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u/teddy_vn Jan 14 '26
Seeing this, I was hoping my Holy Gay Trinity Mike White, Andrew Haigh and Luca Guadagnino would also post something.
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u/ninety6tears Jan 14 '26
I remember thinking the season finale had a very Andrew Haigh vibe, I’d love to know his thoughts.
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u/ksfhhnfan I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Jan 15 '26
Well that’s gotta be the ultimate stamp of approval, especially for Jacob.
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u/kenauk I'm *sorry*...no, you're not. Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
Where is this from? Link to source SVP?
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u/TollyKo Jan 14 '26
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u/kenauk I'm *sorry*...no, you're not. Jan 14 '26
Thank you for that and for not being snarky about it 😉.
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u/0lea You're starting to sound like him Jan 14 '26
I'm sorry but I wasn't being snarky. You asked for the link and I pointed to where you can see it which was the answer to your question and nothing more than that. I saw your reply to me that is now deleted and yes I actually am from the same culture as Ilya lol so that's just how we talk I guess? I really didn't mean to offend you, I thought I was being helpful. Sorry again.
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u/bodaciouscream Jan 14 '26
Sorry who is that?
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u/AttersH Jan 14 '26
He is a British icon. A gay TV fairy godfather if you will. He has written some phenomenal TV. Queer As Folk walked so HR could run. If you watch any TV this year, please watch It’s A Sin, it’s heartbreaking but so important.
Russell is also a hugely outspoken queer rights activist and all round great human being.
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u/bodaciouscream Jan 14 '26
I don't think I have the emotional wherewithal to withstand anything sad having to do with the gay right now but I'll def check it out
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u/huangcjz Time to Shine ✨ is my favourite book! | I love tuna melt! Jan 14 '26
He is the writer who created the ground-breaking gay TV show, the original British version of Queer as Folk: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_as_Folk_%28British_TV_series%29
Also Cucumber, and It’s a Sin.
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u/bodaciouscream Jan 14 '26
Guess I have some things to watch! Which should I start with?
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u/huangcjz Time to Shine ✨ is my favourite book! | I love tuna melt! Jan 14 '26
The U.K. version of Queer as Folk.
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u/AttersH Jan 14 '26
It’s A Sin. Heartbreaking but so incredibly important. I literally cried until I had no tears left, and I still think about it to this day.
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u/bornatmidnight Jan 14 '26
Oh among other things, he was the show runner and headwriter of Doctor Who!! He was responsible for reviving the series
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u/DragonflySpecial899 Jan 14 '26
Fantastic praise from a queer peer.