Beyond the Gates: Daily Episode Discussion

[ShadowHunter]

So in addition to being a gambling addict Doug is also very dumb. Having your debt wiped is red flag number 1 and being handed cash by a guy you just met is not good. To be fair gamblers or addicts don't think rational but still he is a Doctor which shows some intelligence. When certain people fall they really fall. Vanessa was making out with Diego in a bar somebody could have noticed that. 

I liked the scene with the girls doing the runway strut especially Anita lol. Nice seeing them joking around and having fun. 

I had a feeling when Jacob was saying on the phone about how much he loved Naomi he was going to arrest Dani. 

Speaking of Bill and Dani I don't want to jump the gun yet but in 10 episodes they only missed 1. I have a little fear they may end up being on all the time. It could be too early to say that but this is probably just the soap past sneaking  up one me lol. GH did it with the unholy trinity and even One Life to Live turned into One Life to Michael Easton in the last few years. I had to stop watching OLTL because of John McBain. I don't want to go through that with Dani and Bill.

Week 2 was much easier and flowed better as well. It helps that I have all the names down now lol.

 

[drivethroo]

2 hours ago, Badsamaritan said:

I do wonder how crazy Leslie is.

I think she's Sheila Carter crazy.

Bill is pathetic. He should be on his "Italian honeymoon" with Hayley, yet is plotting to bring Dani down.

Plot hole: Fairmont Crest and the country club is supposed to be in Maryland.

Jacob works for MPD (Washington DC); how does he have jurisdiction to arrest Dani?

I'm glad today was an Ashley free day and Kat didn't blink an eye at Chelsea meeting her new friends (which tells me she does this on a regular basis).

I was learning towards Ted not being Eva's father and Leslie being crazy and perhaps making up a whole relationship with someone she's never met.  But next week's episodes say Ted actually may know Leslie and he just may be the father.  I don't think Nicole will have troubles with Eva, though. Her trouble is going to come from crazy Leslie.

The only problem I have is with Eva's age because she should be older than Martin, yet she is being played as if she's the same age as Kat.

 

[Irlandesa]

2 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

At first I thought Dana/Leslie was trying to become one of Nicole's patients, Eva probably won't blow her cover, but Mona certainly would, if she saw her.

At first I thought it was a smart move to try to get close to Nicole but then some of the logistical issues occurred to me.  Like Mona knowing her.  That wouldn't even necessarily be a problem except she chose to give Nicole another false name.  I think it would have been smarter to make an appointment as herself for treatment. 

2 hours ago, wonderwoman said:

what i want to know (well, what i would like to see and not be told) is how, and why, their relationship has deteriorated to this point. unfortunately, saddling them with college-aged teenagers, means that the only way viewers will find out with be is a lot of exposition, and maybe some flashbacks (generally not a fan of flashbacks, though the one with dani and bill after naomi’s wedding was well done, and contextualized dani’s behavior).

I definitely need flashbacks for them.  I don't think their relationship has deteriorated.  Smitty still seems like a good husband putting in the effort.  But Martin has probably deterioated and become more about him than his family or marriage. I think their marriage is headed for disaster, though, as Smitty keeps getting shut down.

Today's episode was kind of boring until the end.  Bill was awesomely evil.  I wonder why Joey wants Doug to owe him.  What kind of power does a cardiac surgeon hold?  I was sick of Dani talking about how she's over Bill.  It was so predictable she'd get arrested. 

 

[Badsamaritan]

I think they might be saving the teens and young adults (Doug and Vanessa's twins, Pamela may have a kid or two, etc) to kick off a summer story for them. The country club is a perfect place for that, between the pool/jobs as lifeguards, the gym, and the golf course, there's plenty of teen action to be had there going into summer. It would make sense if we start to see a couple scenes here and there of the various kids in the next few weeks to get them oriented and prep them to kick off their own storylines around May sweeps and the Memorial day holiday. 

[Giuseppe]

I wish they'd stop putting Ted in turtlenecks, lol. 

I'm liking Eva more and more. She seems like she might be starting to have some regrets about the plan. And I like that she isn't (yet) giving back to Kat as much as Kat is giving to her, and is trying to be diplomatic about Kat's attacks. The actress is gorgeous.

There's still something about this show that isn't quite gelling with me, and I still think it's partly both the writing and acting in some cases. I'm finding that lots of the dialogue just doesn't seem natural for these characters. I'm guessing this can only improve.

[JAYJAY1979]

After watching two weeks of episodes, I am exhausted by Dani and almost want to fast forward her stuff.

I think she's meant to be the main focus, but I think Nicole and her family should be the main focus instead.  

Instead of Bill and Dani, we could have devoted a bit more focus on the Vanessa/Doug story.  I wonder if Joey is targeting Doug because he's the first step into entering the gates.  Doug is married to Vanessa, who owns a luxury real estate company so maybe if Joey gets Doug under this thumb, it will allow him access to Vanessa's money/connections and also an inroad to others living within the Gates.

I think Leslie flipped out over the video and is partly serious about jumping off the building...and seeing Nicole come up there accomplishes her plan...even though Eva is making inroads already..and is starting to be conflicted.

[ByaNose]

I did think it was funny when Kat was talking to Nicole that she called Eva lady locs or something to that affect. In the BTS special Colby Muhammad said this was the first tv job for her. She clearly has fun with the dialogue and wardrobe and has star potential. I guess come this summer her and Tomas will heating up the screens.

All in all, the show is off to a roaring start. The lead up, parties, press and finally the premiere week was the fun part. Now the real work begins (actually it has for the past 3 months) and, I guess it’s up to the viewers to say yay or nay. If the early ratings are any indication I could easily see 5 year run without batting an eye. Although, I don’t know what order number (in years) that CBS gave Beyond the Gates. 

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, ByaNose said:

Although, I don’t know what order number (in years) that CBS gave Beyond the Gates.

Grain of salt and all but I read online somewhere that it was given a guaranteed 2 year run.  But I don't know if that comes from a credible source.

It makes sense to me, though.  They're going to want to give it some time to build momentum after all they've invested in it.  I think it'd have to completely go into a freefall for it to not get two years.

Edited Yest. at 08:20 AM by Irlandesa

[michelec]

13 hours ago, drivethroo said:

I'm glad today was an Ashley free day and Kat didn't blink an eye at Chelsea meeting her new friends (which tells me she does this on a regular basis).

 

And I also suspect Chelsea at the very least does drugs recreationally because when her and tech guy came back to their table in the background of Naomi and Jacob's double date scene she was rubbing her nose.

I knew Dani would be arrested as soon as the Duprees started having happy times at the mansion.

It would be cool if Eva really was Ted's daughter only for the rivalry with Kat. That has potential to be a classic soap feud.

Martin is a pompous, self-important asshat and Smitty deserves so much better.

[YaddaYadda]

14 hours ago, drivethroo said:

I was learning towards Ted not being Eva's father and Leslie being crazy and perhaps making up a whole relationship with someone she's never met.  But next week's episodes say Ted actually may know Leslie and he just may be the father.  I don't think Nicole will have troubles with Eva, though. Her trouble is going to come from crazy Leslie.

The only problem I have is with Eva's age because she should be older than Martin, yet she is being played as if she's the same age as Kat.

It does seem that he knew crazy Leslie, but I kinda wondered if the relationship isn't mainly in Leslie's head. Like a fangirl gone wrong, basically.

I also wondered if Eva wasn't conceived with stolen sperm and a turkey baster.

[AnimeMania]

One Season is 200 episodes.

[cleo]

I'm ages behind, only just watched the press conference, but this show is growing on me.

Re Martin - it'll be much more interesting if the big secret is something with him being angry and acting it out, rather than a drunk driving accident or something like that, which I feel like has been over done. But either way he's an ass. I'm team Smitty.

I actually felt bad for Dani in the press conference. She tried to make a healthier choice by leaving town, her parents forced her to stay and attend, and she blew up. Then they come down on her. Gotta wonder how often that happened in their lives.

[KittyQ]

On 2/27/2025 at 6:10 PM, Grinaldi said:

This may only make sense to DS9 fans but she's got them Gowron eyes and I am living for it.

(My emphasis)

I love this comment! Who would expect that DS9 and Beyond the Gates would have something (even a little thing) in common? 

[KittyQ]

On 3/5/2025 at 2:58 PM, Melgaypet said:

A presidential campaign does not mesh with a daytime soap.

Over on GH, Drew has been elected to Congress, but we've yet to see him do any actual government work, since he's so wrapped up with Willow, etc. I can't imagine anyone running for President and realistically stay involved in the story lines.

 

Hey! Is that Ryan Chamberlain back from the dead, stringing Doug along??? Or maybe it's Kevin, because there aren't enough people who need psych care in Port Charles. 

[ByaNose]

I’m curious  where Cady McClain fits in here. Dani already has a bff (the blonde realtor) so I’m not sure what Cady can add. The cast is already bloated enough and it’s only been two weeks. LOL!!!!        

[AnimeMania]

19 minutes ago, ByaNose said:

I’m curious  where Cady McClain fits in here. Dani already has a bff (the blonde realtor) so I’m not sure what Cady can add. The cast is already bloated enough and it’s only been two weeks. LOL!!!!        

The blonde realtor (Vanessa McBride) is supposed to be Nicole's BFF, but she lives near Dani.

[Rodney]

Finally got to see Friday's episode.

Kat continues to be suspicious of Eva, and with more good reason.  But Nicole still won't listen, even though Kat pointed out that she's been snooping twice.  But Nicole even calling her a spoiled brat?  Ouch.  Ted and Nicole are going to deserve every "I told you so" that they get from Kat once the bomb drops.

At least Anita and Vernon regret forcing Dani to go to Bill and Hayley's wedding.

It actually was quite lovely to see Dani letting her hair down and enjoying herself.

Doug has a gambling problem and has a connection to this guy, Joey, whom Jon Lindstrom will be playing?  Mysterious.  Is Jon here on contract or recurring?

Doug and Vanessa have (very obviously interracial) twins away at college?  I wonder if we'll meet them at some point?

I really want to hear Anita sing.  I wonder what Tamara's singing voice sounds like?

Loved the Dupree women's runway show.  Too bad the family's fun had to get interrupted by Jacob arresting Dani.

Bill is obviously more afraid of Dani than he lets on if he had her arrested.

Where is this thing with Nicole and Leslie going to go?  Interested in seeing it.

Good cliffhanger to head into next week!

[AnimeMania]

Bill is kind of stupid, instead of letting this go, he is going to miss his honeymoon and have to disclose all of his affairs, including Hayley's, to the public. Bill might win in court, but could lose in the "court of public opinion" and find himself cancelled.

The writers might do a reverse, Luigi Mangione situation rocketing Dani back into the spotlight, re-igniting her modeling/social media influencer career, since she has already gone viral and have a ton of followers. If Bill loses everything, so will Hayley, but Bill still has all of his secrets and the favors he is owed.

It would be funny if the Duprees could flip Hayley somehow to turn on Bill for ruining her life.

[JAYJAY1979]

9 hours ago, ByaNose said:

I’m curious  where Cady McClain fits in here. Dani already has a bff (the blonde realtor) so I’m not sure what Cady can add. The cast is already bloated enough and it’s only been two weeks. LOL!!!!        

I almost think Cady and the actress playing Vanessa should have switched roles.  I could have seen Cady playing an empty nester that is heavy into real estate being close to Nicole....while the other actress could have played Pamela.

However, Cady is known to get bored and bolt so it makes sense to have her play the smaller part instead of the larger part.  I always recalled how often AMC and ATWT had to shift things whenever she had the urge to leave.  Really diluted her characters when she did that.

 

[Sake614]

When Jacob wrong ‘Hamilton’ on his notepad, I legit forgot that’s Bill’s last name. All I could think was ‘what does the musical have to do with this show? did he buy tickets to Hamilton to surprise Naomi’? 🤣

[ByaNose]

10 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

The blonde realtor (Vanessa McBride) is supposed to be Nicole's BFF, but she lives near Dani.

Oh! Okay. I guess I’ve seen her more with Dani thus confusing me. 

[Irlandesa]

2 hours ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

However, Cady is known to get bored and bolt so it makes sense to have her play the smaller part instead of the larger part.  I always recalled how often AMC and ATWT had to shift things whenever she had the urge to leave.  Really diluted her characters when she did that.

Plus, I think part of the reason she isn't doing DOOL any longer is because she moved back to NY. Both she and Jon are doing recurring roles which presumably means they are going to be used less than Vanessa is being used.

 

[Sake614]

23 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

Plus, I think part of the reason she isn't doing DOOL any longer is because she moved back to NY. Both she and Jon are doing recurring roles which presumably means they are going to be used less than Vanessa is being used.

 

BTG tapes in Atlanta so it’s much easier to get there than LA. Also MVJ said they’re ‘regular’ recurring so they'll likely be around fairly often. 

[DearEvette]

2 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

Bill is kind of stupid, instead of letting this go, he is going to miss his honeymoon and have to disclose all of his affairs, including Hayley's, to the public. Bill might win in court, but could lose in the "court of public opinion" and find himself cancelled.

Bill is absolutely stupid.  Apparently he is a lawyer/fixer a la Olivia Pope.  And he used his fixing skills to cover up whatever Martin did ( killed someone in a rage?) And it looks  like he is a lot less discreet than Olivia Pope was because  he has no problem showing that he uses the knowledge of what he does for people over their heads.  I get that what he does probably has some element of tit for tat for a future unspecified thing, but that tit for tat does not involve not using it as quasi blackmail. This is unsustainable for a guy in his position. One day you are going to try that on someone who won't do the tit for tat but instead do a double tap.

In the end his blackmail made things worse. Hayley did not get the wedding of her dreams.  Half the guests wore funeral (but incredibly stylish) wear and were absolutely not interested in being there and showed it in their visibly displayed contempt.  It became a viral punchilne and she ended up getting married with just two witnesses, an employee and a rent-a-friend, anyway.

If the Duprees were smart, they'd neutralize the hold Bill has on them by getting their own ammunition on him. I get the feeling that Vernon might be getting there too based on his convo with Bill after the press conference.

The Nurse continues to be a needle scratch.  Chelsea and Kat have grown on me, both actresses feel more comfortable and their line readings feel more natural.  I am kinda sorta able to tell Andre and Jacob apart because Andre kinda sorta  resembles Larenz Tate.

I know Dani is a LOT. But I can't lie, I love the chaotic, wild child, loose screw energy she brings. Karla Moseley is so mesmerizing to watch. I wish now that she has done all of her acting out that she let her rage go on a simmer rather than a boil and play the long game to make Bill & Hayley pay. A dish served cold as it were.

Speaking of long games, I love the old skool soap scheming of Leslie and Eva. I am hoping Eva isn't Ted's daughter because that would be rather funny to know Leslie lived all that bitterness and infected her daughter with it only for it to be a big lie.

On a shallow note, the wardrobe on this show is insane!  I especially loved the black dress Dani wore at the wedding, Chelsea's wedding/funeral outfit and her hair ornament, and from the first week that grey tweed coat and skirt Nicole wore.  Of the 'rich' set, Hayley (as Bill's fiancee) is the only one whose wardrobe has been kinda tacky.

[AnimeMania]

4 minutes ago, DearEvette said:

Speaking of long games, I love the old skool soap scheming of Leslie and Eva. I am hoping Eva isn't Ted's daughter because that would be rather funny to know Leslie lived all that bitterness and infected her daughter with it only for it to be a big lie.

I was hoping that Eva was Ted's daughter, but crazy Leslie stole Eva as a baby by killing her real mother.

[drivethroo]

On 3/7/2025 at 10:50 PM, Giuseppe said:

I'm finding that lots of the dialogue just doesn't seem natural for these characters. I'm guessing this can only improve.

Anita calling Bill a "reprobate" is in character. Anita is supposed to be this upper class, wife of a Senator so she would say something like "reprobate."

Leslie/Dana saying somebody is "feckless" is out of order lol.

On 3/8/2025 at 10:45 AM, YaddaYadda said:

I also wondered if Eva wasn't conceived with stolen sperm and a turkey baster.

Even if this turns out to be the case, I can see Ted (and Nicole) having a soft spot for Eva and keeping her around, to the chagrin of Kat.

11 hours ago, Rodney said:

Doug and Vanessa have (very obviously interracial) twins away at college?  I wonder if we'll meet them at some point?

I actually hope we don't get to meet them anytime soon (or Martin & Smitty's kids).

24 minutes ago, DearEvette said:

Of the 'rich' set, Hayley (as Bill's fiancee) is the only one whose wardrobe has been kinda tacky.

Intentional because Hayley is not from the Duprees' world. Hayley is probably from a working class/poor background and grew up wearing thrift store* and Kmart/Sears/Walmart.  All of the Dupree women dress very elegantly (even Naomi, who is the least flashy one). 

Now Hayley is married and has a Black card and access to buy "fashions;" I suspect she will still be tacky, though.

I loved Kat's Pilgrim dress, Chelsea's dress and Dani's dress.

*Don't sleep on the thrift store (or estate sales), lots of "rich" people in the DC area toss out very nice things and they can be snapped up for a song.

 

 

[Crashcourse]

I only check in occasionally, but I'm tired of batshit crazy looking/acting  Dani/Karla Mosley.  The show would be much better if she were put on the back burner. 

[DearEvette]

1 hour ago, drivethroo said:

Intentional because Hayley is not from the Duprees' world. Hayley is probably from a working class/poor background and grew up wearing thrift store* and Kmart/Sears/Walmart.  All of the Dupree women dress very elegantly (even Naomi, who is the least flashy one). 

Now Hayley is married and has a Black card and access to buy "fashions;" I suspect she will still be tacky, though.

I loved Kat's Pilgrim dress, Chelsea's dress and Dani's dress.

100%.  I am sure that is why her fashions are just not quite right.  And co-sign on Kat's Pilgrim dress.  Her whole outfit was great too, down to the shoes.