If fake dating were a hockey game, then this episode is basically the start of the playoffs—and Garrett Graham? Oh, he came to show dominance. The man is gifted. He came to win. Meanwhile, Hannah Wells is just trying to survive the new parts of her life… and maybe not fall for the very guy she’s pretending to date. Spoiler: that’s not going well for either of them.
I just don’t think that either of them has realized just how much they are falling for each other – yet. Off Campus, Season 1, Episode 2 examines just that – the beginning of feelings that neither one expected.
It’s still really early in the game, but I do love that the people who are around Graham and Hannah are cautious. They may like them together or they may not. It feels like it is no one’s choice right now. Hannah and Graham are faking so many things that I do believe that it will take a hot minute for the two of them to realize they’ve already fallen for each other.
Games aren’t hard to play; it’s only when they stop being games and become reality that it gets hard.
While Graham and Hannah are just beginning, the writing is on the wall.
Spoiler alert: it’s going to be so good.
Fake Dating, But Make It Strategic
From the time that I pressed play on The Practice, I noticed one thing – it wasted no time. It threw Hannah into Garrett’s very controlled, very chaotic world and vice versa. Garrett and Hannah are both extremely busy, and I don’t think that Garrett was prepared for that. He thought that he was the only one who was busy.
Their schedules don’t line up, and she tries to remind him that this is why she said it wouldn’t work. Garrett responds the only way he knows how—by bulldozing straight through her cautiousness and boundaries, grabbing her phone, and inserting himself into her life like it’s already a done deal. They did make a deal after all.
And honestly? The audacity. The confidence and commitment to fake dating. We were sat, paying attention, and wanting more. He’s a mixture of it all.
He saves his number in her phone, snaps a photo kissing her cheek (because of course he does, and it was adorbs), and texts himself so he has her number. Now, being honest, I love that he’s taking control and challenging Hannah at every turn. He lays out the obvious: if they’re going to fake date, it needs to be convincing. Not hand-holding-in-the-hallway convincing. We’re talking full-on, sell-it-to-the-press convincing. Because in Garrett’s world, focus and reputation are everything—and his is very much “does not date.”
So it begs the question – if there isn’t kissing and affection – how is anyone supposed to believe they are dating?
Naturally, this all hinges on one very important audience member: The Fifth Line. You think gossip accounts are whatever, but I tell you that they are important. Jules, Logan’s sister, runs the account, and her posting about them is very important. Because if Jules buys it, everyone buys it. No pressure, though.
Okay, all the pressure, but I am a person who suffers from anxiety, so I am trying to be kind.
Welcome to the Chaos House
Hannah’s first real immersion into Graham’s world is… exactly what you’d expect. Loud, shirtless, mildly drool-worthy. He’s giving us all a gift here, though. She arrives at his house, Logan lets her in, and him not questioning that there could be anything is kinda weird. I like Logan looking out for everyone, even when it’s a hard thing to do.
But Graham, he’s really sold on selling this fake dating. I am not sure why he’s so invested, because it feels very much just beyond his grades. He comes down those stairs, shirtless and wet, in like he’s in an underwear ad no one asked for. He’s an Adonis – a gift that the Prime Video gods have given the long-time fans of this book series, but also to draw new fans in.
Jules (along with the whole house) is already side-eyeing the situation, and Hannah is doing her best not to short-circuit, but girl is drooling. Hannah is all of u and we are Hannah.
When they make it to Graham’s room, I think that she is surprised by where she is. Definitely not anything that was on her list of things that were supposed to be happening to her. His phone keeps going off, and I am questioning why it is that no one seems to be able to DND their phone when they are busy.
Mildly laughed when she found out what a puck bunny was. Mildly understood when that was the last thing she wanted to be called. But she was going to have to tell them to back off – during study sessions. She’s actually pretty funny in handling it.
But here’s where it gets fun—Hannah doesn’t just sit back and play along. Oh no. She grabs Garrett’s phone mid–puck bunny blow-up and fires off a message that basically schedules him for later.
Icon behavior.
Garrett’s reaction? Equal parts impressed and horrified, because now he jokes about actually having to follow through on Hannah’s text. And just like that, the dynamic shifts a little. Hannah might be new to this game, but she’s not completely outmatched.
These two are equals.
Meanwhile, in Relationship Reality…
Allie and Shawn have hit a rut. I mean, he may not think that they have, but when your girlfriend is picking sex positions from a calendar… You are in a rut. Shawn likes routine, Allie likes adventure. But when deep in a conversation about their sex life and the predictability of it all ends with her giving in to the routine, I am filled with existential dread. He thinks he’s being generous by just saying that he’ll put a pillow underneath her.
Suddenly, the “real” relationship feels a whole lot more complicated than the fake one. How do you talk to your “soul mate” about the shortcomings in your relationship when they don’t see them?
It’s a subtle but obvious contrast—because while Garrett and Hannah are performing a relationship, Allie and Shawn are quietly questioning theirs. Both aspects are complex.
And both can feel quite lonely.
Hannah Wells Is All Of Us
In my opinion, this episode really made me feel her struggle between what is right, wrong, and done for Justin. Now, I think that she could do a lot better than Justin, but I don’t think she realizes that. I think in Hannah’s mind, she would be lucky if Justin paid attention.
Yet, I feel like Justin is the lucky one who she recognizes and likes.
We know that Hannah is working towards the pop showcase for a scholarship, and she’s quite scared of having to write lyrics. Vulnerability isn’t easy for Hannah. Vulnerability is scary for Hannah.
In class, her music gets… nothing at first. The teacher has asked for feedback, and it seems like everyone is afraid to ask her or tell her anything. No real feedback, no constructive criticism, just vague observations until someone finally says the thing: her work in the pop genre sounds the same as her classical composition. She’s playing it safe.
And if that doesn’t sum up Hannah’s entire vibe right now, I don’t know what does.
She’s careful and afraid to take risks. Whether it’s her music or her love life, she stays in her comfort zone—even when it’s clearly not working.
But that’s the thing – she has to start to pay attention and step out of her comfort zone.
Hannah and Garrett have class together. She’s telling her bestie in the next class about her music class issues. That’s when Garrett decides the best way to sell their relationship is to announce it in class like David Muir and breaking news. He casually drops that he was late because he was getting coffee for “his girl,” and suddenly all eyes are on Hannah.
Or… not quite.
Because Justin—the reason for all of this fake couple to be together — doesn’t even notice. Not until Hannah, in a moment of pure panic and accidental chaos, knocks over Garrett’s water bottle and sends it clattering dramatically down the stairs.
Is it smooth? Absolutely not.
Does it work? Absolutely yes.
Unfortunately, that is.
But at least he’s paying attention.
Party Planning, But Make It Strategic
Enter: Beau and Dean’s party. Cape Cod. Costumes. Chaos pending.
Graham and Hannah aren’t sure what to go as, but if there is anyone who would know what to do, it would be Allie. Allie is fully invested in the fake dating agenda, and well, she’s the only one who really knows about it outside of Garrett and Hannah. She insists that Hannah needs to go “boy hot,” which sparks a mini debate about dressing for yourself versus dressing for attention. It’s fun, it’s a little too real, and it ultimately ends with Hannah agreeing to lean into the boy’s hot agenda.
Because if she’s going to play the part, she’s going to play it well.
Garrett, naturally, insists she comes with him. Because nothing says fake dating like controlling the narrative and making sure to sell people on the right things.
That and well, Garrett Graham likes being in control.
Oh Right—Garrett Has Feelings
In between all the flirting and chaos, we are all reminded of the fact that Garrett is the son of one of the greatest players ever, carrying a legacy he didn’t ask for, constantly trying to prove he belongs.
The control, as well as the need to stay one step ahead of the world, makes sense. Image management is what he’s learned his whole life.
It’s not just ego for Graham—it’s survival. The world is constantly changing, but it remembers who his father is and who it thinks that he should be.
Graham and Hannah are still feeling each other out. Each one of them is used to their own way, but having to step into each other’s worlds is a scary thing. It’s terrifying. So, as we see Hannah waiting for him to be done with an interview, the coach talks to her, thinking she’s a girlfriend, and better with her when he realizes that she’s the tutor.
Weight rooms have never been particularly romantic, but it’s where a practice session happens. And by “practice,” I mean flirting disguised as philosophical debate that escalates into a full-blown makeout session that is a session that wasn’t supposed to happen. But Graham is right, she does blush.
She denies the blushing. He tests his theory. You see where this is going. And when they finally kiss? It’s not planned. It’s very much a mixture of a “practice” and “oh… this is happening” moment.
Of course, Hannah immediately tries to regain control by kissing Logan right after, because nothing says “I’m totally unaffected” like dragging a third party into the test.
Dean’s Party: Chaos, But Make It Hot
The game went well. Hannah sits with other “girlfriends”, but you can tell she feels somewhat uncomfortable. But she cheers, she embraces, and she makes sure she’s not doing anything that could be wrong.
Especially since she understands who Jules is and she’s right there.
Garrett shines on the ice (because of course he does), but everything is building toward the main event: Dean’s party.
Hannah shows up in a full bunny costume, and Garrett? Gone. Completely entranced. The man cannot take his eyes off her, and honestly, neither can I. She rocks it.
For a moment, it feels like the performance is working a little too well. But hey, that’s what I want. I am a Hannah and Garrett groupie. Love them.
For the two of them, reality creeps back in, and they remember it’s a performance. Hannah gets left alone, the party energy overwhelms her, and a moment with the keg triggers something deeper. It’s a quiet reminder that, beneath all the flirting and fake dating, she’s still carrying things we don’t fully understand yet from her past.
Jules, the human lie detector, finally corners Hannah, and let’s just say—Hannah does not seem to be passing this test with flying colors. I just feel like she’s over-explaining and spiraling. Jules is looking for an understanding as to why Garrett Graham, who doesn’t date, is suddenly head over heels for Hannah.
Hannah basically talks herself into a hole while trying to convince Jules that Garrett Graham, noted non-dater, is suddenly into her.
And the worst part? Hannah doesn’t even believe the story that she’s peddling.
When The Crush Walks In
Justin arrives, and Hannah immediately panics. Garrett, ever the strategist, steps in and takes control— steering their convo for a second and then literally leading her upstairs so they’ll be seen.
“Watch the player, not the puck,” he tells her.
Translation: trust me.
What starts as part of the plan quickly becomes… not that. Garrett leans in, whispering exactly the kind of things that make Hannah blush (despite her earlier denial), and suddenly the tension is very real, very immediate, and very not fake. I mean, for me, it’s always come across, but I think that it’s that moment when he leans forward and tells her this is the part where he tells her all the things that he wants to do to her.
I am screaming, TELL US ALL.
But in the room—because these two are nothing if not stubborn—they end up arguing over the bed and both sleeping on the floor.
Romance, but make it inconvenient and make it give you back pain.
The Moment That Changes Everything
It’s the quiet conversation as they are lying on the floor that follows that really lands.
Garrett opens up about his dad, the pressure, and the identity he’s built around hockey. Hannah shares her music, reluctantly, and Garrett listens—really listens—and tells her she’s good.
Not in a flirty, throwaway way. In a way that actually matters.
And then he drops the moment: he once followed her voice through the tunnels during a bad game, and it centered him.
Excuse me while I scream.
Because this? This is the shift. This is where he starts being honest and where she may not understand that she means something to him, but I did. It’s also the moment that they both end up back on the bed, talking and having a good time.
They fall asleep next to each other, soft and unguarded, and for a second, everything feels simple. But I think we all get that nothing is ever simple. At a certain point, all of these little things–these moments–add up.
Garrett wakes up in the middle of the night, spooning Hannah, his arms wrapped around her. He closes the laptop, turns off the light, and goes to sleep on the floor.
And with that, I sighed. I want these two to be together. I don’t want the bed and floor distance. But back to sleep, Graham goes.
Morning comes, and with it, even more distance.
On the bus, Garrett watches Hannah with Justin and—oh look—there’s that emotion he definitely wasn’t planning on having. Jealousy, meet denial.
He pulls up her music, looks at their photo, and suddenly the guy who “doesn’t date” is very much in trouble.
“The Practice” thrives in that messy, delicious space between pretending and feeling. It’s chaotic and self-aware enough to know exactly what it’s doing. The only people who don’t seem to know what is happening are Graham and Hannah.
That’s okay, though. Watching these two try to outmaneuver their own feelings might be the most entertaining game of all.
Off Campus is streaming now on Prime Video.
