diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts
index ee503898f..4bb5a5456 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts
@@ -156,6 +156,30 @@ describe('createStalkerVodDetailActions openExternal', () => {
         expect(t.openExternalPlayback).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     });
 
+    it('still rejects a repeat of the first movie after another one was started', async () => {
+        let selected = 42;
+        const t = setup(() => selected);
+        const other = {
+            ...MOVIE,
+            data: { id: '7' },
+        } as unknown as VodDetailsItem;
+        const launch = (item: VodDetailsItem) =>
+            t.actions.openExternal({
+                item,
+                player: 'mpv',
+                positionSeconds: null,
+            });
+        void launch(MOVIE);
+        selected = 7;
+        void launch(other);
+        selected = 42;
+        await launch(MOVIE);
+
+        // A, B, A again: the second A is a repeat of a pending launch.
+        expect(t.beginPendingStart).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+        expect(t.openExternalPlayback).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
     it('drops the stream once another movie was selected meanwhile', async () => {
         let selected = 42;
         const t = setup(() => selected);
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts
index 74bce669b..8e63f40b6 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts
@@ -71,10 +71,10 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
         deps.snackBar.open(deps.translate.instant(key), undefined, {
             duration: 3000,
         });
-    // A second "Open in external player" for the SAME movie during a slow
-    // `create_link` would resolve beside the first and start a second
-    // player; another movie's launch is not held back by it.
-    let externalLaunchInFlight: string | null = null;
+    // A second "Open in external player" for a movie whose `create_link` is
+    // still resolving would resolve beside the first and start a second
+    // player; other movies' launches are not held back by it.
+    const externalLaunchesInFlight = new Set<string>();
 
     return {
         /** The inline player copied the stream URL. */
@@ -106,10 +106,10 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
             const playlistId = deps.playlistId();
             const vodId = Number(event.item.data.id);
             const launchKey = `${playlistId}:${vodId}`;
-            if (externalLaunchInFlight === launchKey) {
+            if (externalLaunchesInFlight.has(launchKey)) {
                 return;
             }
-            externalLaunchInFlight = launchKey;
+            externalLaunchesInFlight.add(launchKey);
             const stillSelected = () =>
                 deps.selectedVodId() === vodId &&
                 deps.playlistId() === playlistId;
@@ -146,9 +146,7 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
                     notify('PORTALS.PLAYBACK_ERROR');
                 }
             } finally {
-                if (externalLaunchInFlight === launchKey) {
-                    externalLaunchInFlight = null;
-                }
+                externalLaunchesInFlight.delete(launchKey);
                 settlePendingStart?.();
             }
         },
diff --git a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-menu.service.ts b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-menu.service.ts
index f3ad99c59..2ffc9151b 100644
--- a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-menu.service.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-menu.service.ts
@@ -192,6 +192,15 @@ export class VodDetailsMenuService {
             this.logger.error('Resetting the playback position failed', error);
             return;
         }
+        // The clear was async: the route may show another movie by now
+        // (the Similar rail reuses it), whose own state must stay.
+        if (
+            this.bindings()?.vodId() !== vodId ||
+            this.xtreamStore.currentPlaylist()?.id !== playlistId
+        ) {
+            void this.xtreamStore.loadAllPositions(playlistId);
+            return;
+        }
         // A read still in flight started from the pre-write row; letting it
         // land would bring the position back.
         this.playback.discardPendingPositionLoads();