SoapZone Community Message Board

Relatable. I have no idea how many times I've seen episode 6.

I'm so glad. It's such a relief that you liked it since I told you that you would.

I love that whole section. "But terrifying, yes?" -- and the part where he busts out laughing at Shane's cover story.

Shane's response being that his father works for the Treasury Board of Canada is so funny. I also generally like his insistance that it's not boring, it's normal!

Shane. That is kinda the definition of boring, working for the treasury board.

McGill clipped the "McGill? Wtf is McGill?" bit for their social media with the caption "We're just happy to be included."

We see so much of how famous Shane is, that I did enjoy Ilya getting to point out that he is also SUPER FAMOUS.

The scene at the fire is the last thing they shot so there's also this BTS clip with the ceaator/director where Hudson is clearly emotional and reaching back to hug him. It feels like such a nice note to end on for the shoot. I can't even imagine what this ride has been like for the two of them. Total obscurity, both waiting tables, and then six months later, they've got 2M IG followers and are presenting at the Golden Globes.

They are either putting on the most impressive act for the press ever, or they're best friends, so at least they have each other.

I loved that. Eight years in, and they finally wake up together.

Ok -- I have read the books at this point (read between 5 and 6 because I was losing my mind), and I did not like that scene in the book. I thought it was cringe and I was hoping they'd skip it. But the adaptation was honestly brilliant. It's all in how Connor and Hudson play it, and Ilya's honestly pretty adorable (I also enjoy how, having finally gotten Shane to himself, he is mad about every single interruption. I kinda get it.) On the show, this scene is so funny and cute. The creator said he wanted it there because it's boyfriend behaviour and he wanted to show them transition. All the stuff with Ilya hitting him on the face was apparently something they came up with the make-up trailer and the creator told Connor "Ok, if you want to hit him, that's fine, as long as Hudson doesn't mind you smacking him around." But Hudson is generally game for anything. They've all talked about how happy they are with how that scene turned out and I think it's one of the best moments of direct adaptation with the performance really adding to the execution.

I also love how stern Shane is. "What are you doing?"

oooh, we can debate the whole "who fell first" thing -- though the actors have both said they think they were both in it from the first conversation. I'm a big fan of that moment after their first time at Shane's apartment when Ilya asks if it was worth the wait and Shane just gives him these two very gentle kisses and you see Ilya's face register "oh no" like he realizes he's having feelings and he needs to get out.

Have we talked about the stairway kiss in that episode? I love it so much.

I love everything about that scene. Their feet touching on the couch. Hudson has said that Shane doesn't realize how much he wears his heart on his sleeve and he feels like, if the tears don't fall, he isn't crying. The line "I do not ever want that problem to ever go away" is one of my favourite moments of the series.

I love that moment. I also love that he's whispering it over and over again in Russian before he busts out the actual "I love you." And then Shane's total shocked delight. "I mean..."

What do you mean, Ilya? How are you planning to walk that back?

But then he gets the "I love you, too."

But come on, Ilya. He just laid out a 10-year plan to eventually be together. You gotta know he loves you, too.

They have sunshine!

Also, I know it's as subtle as a hammer, but I do love how we got the sunset in Florida right before Shane forces a conversation about their feelings -- like that's the end of their previous relationship and now we get the sunrise on the new version.

There are so many good subtle things in that scene. Ilya is completely serious, which he rarely is. He lightly guides Shane's arms around him to bring him in for the hug. I love the whole "You're brave." "Shut up." "You are." "I feel like I want to die." exchange.

I also love that we know Shane's parents adore him -- he is the centre of their world -- and this is still terrifying for him. He's so scared.

I also love how convincingly he drops to the floor. It really looks like he just can't stand up anymore.

Another moment straight out of the book and I was really hoping they'd keep it. When the episode stills came out, they only gave us three, but one of them had Ilya in his Raiders t-shirt and I was like "YES!"

I've talked to people from Europe about how it's legitimately confusing for them that Shane doesn't want Ilya to say they're lovers because that's the word you'd use in Russian -- it's very sweet, it means beloved or boyfriend -- and Shane, of course, is not wanting his parents to think about the fact that he and Ilya have sex so he's horrified by it.

Ok -- I apologize if I'm telling you a ton of BTS stuff you already know, but it delights me: Apparently, Connor commented to the creator that no one actually eats on TV and he said "That's because they have to do 76 takes and it's too much to actually eat." Connor said, "No, I think I can do it." -- and you can really tell he's eating. The creator said it was maybe the most impressive thing he did. "He ate, like, 14 servings of pasta."

Those are all top-tier moments. I've seen so many people weeping on the internet over his mom apologizing.

I love that moment. Also, shout out to "Weren't there any nice men in Montreal?" "I don't know, probably."

But mostly Ilya being VERY Ilya and being also pretty perfect. You can understand from that exchange that David and Yuna are going to love him.

They played the song and just had the actors improvise. I really love that moment right at the end where you see Shane holding Ilya's jaw and making a face. It's so hopeful and sweet. And you can see how Shane is starting to relax into his new life. It's a whole new plane of existence for him.

God, I know. But I want season two to be good, and I'll wait. No one expected this to happen.

SO glad you liked it! So happy to read your thoughts about it, too.