Beyond the Gates Weekly Recap - 08/18-08/22/25

Beyond the Gates Weekly Recap - 08/18-08/22/25

This week on Beyond the Gates, a mother’s life is shattered by rejection, your favorite villainess cashes in on riches, and the smackdown we’ve all been waiting for finally lands. Let’s get into it.

Momma June

June wants a relationship with her kids, but Martin and Smitty leave the decision in Samantha and Tyrell’s hands. Samantha is torn but ultimately agrees with her brother, seeing June once was enough, and they have two wonderful parents. Their rejection devastates June, who lashes out at Naomi before quickly coming to her senses. Determined to move forward and be someone they could eventually become proud of, June admits she needs help finding a job and a place to live.

Rich Missus

Leslie’s sudden riches reminds me of Lil’ Kim’s “No Time”: “Usually rock the Prada, sometimes Gabbana… Zsa Zsa Gabor, Demi Moore, Princess Di and all them rich bitches.” Only this time, it’s the Dupree women in her sights.

Fresh off her inheritance, Leslie bursts in to flaunt her new riches and reveal a secret that was not only hidden from her but that Anita was in the dark about. She is Barbara's daughter and only remaining heir. Leslie being Leslie cannot stop with that information, she wants revenge and her way of getting it is psychological. The tense scene between Mother Dupree and Dana Leslie Thomas explodes, ending in Anita delivering a slap that’s been months in the making.

Leslie wastes no time flexing her power, she buys a multi-million-dollar mansion directly across from the Duprees on the very day her first check clears. She tries to repay Ted, who refuses, but that doesn’t stop her from taunting him. Ted, however, ignores her.

Later, Ted shows up at Eva’s door. Eva assumes that Leslie has done something and Ted has a heart to heart with her about always expecting Leslie's chaos. He is curious if it has always been that way. Did Eva ever get to breathe? Eva confides that her mother was once her best friend, a good mom, until Alan’s death turned her into someone destructive. Ted encourages Eva not to hold her breath, reminding her she has more family now. He invites her to Kat’s big launch, but Eva declines, certain Kat wouldn’t want her there. Dana arrives soon after, tossing barbs at Ted and revealing she’s conveniently joined the exclusive country club.

Sibling Rivalry with a Board Between

Eva dives deeper into Barbara’s story, moved to tears by what she learns. When Tomas stops by unannounced, she confides her confusion, Leslie seems consumed only by money. Tomas reassures her that she is nothing like her mother.

Meanwhile, Kat treats Jacob like a big brother, antagonizing him about the case then supporting him after learning he has been assigned to desk duty. Oddly, she shifts the conversation to her issues in the bedroom with Tomas. Jacob is a good sport and offers advice that ends with him advising her to talk to the best shrink in town, her mother.

The Fallout

Anita confides in Vernon, regretting that she cracked and slapped Leslie. Nicole joins the conversation, and the subject of finally telling her the truth arises. Vernon warns that plans must be made , plans we can all guess at. Anita questions whether the solution is worth the cost, but Vernon reminds her they’ve already seen the destruction Leslie can cause with nothing. Now she has resources.

Anita steels herself to tell Nicole, but before she can, Bill arrives. He assures them the trust is ironclad...of course it is. Their only option is to protect themselves, and he offers to help. In return, though, he demands something he’s wanted all along: their respect.

The Launch

It’s the night of ChelseaKat’s big debut. Kat is on the phone with Tomas, who drove across town to retrieve a misplaced shipment. Chelsea is nervous, but Kat rallies her in a sweet moment. Later Chelsea gives Kat her flowers.

Bill makes an appearance to congratulate Kat, but Madison’s arrival nearly knocks him off his feet. Chelsea introduces Madison as her friend. She doesn't want to hide her sexuality from Bill but they are just starting to rebuild their relationship and it wasn't a conversation that she was ready to have.

Back at the Dupree mansion, Naomi and Dani arrive with champagne, but the mood is heavy. Anita and Nicole break the news that Leslie is Barbara's heir. They talk about the ways in which Leslie will weaponize her newfound wealth against them. Anita clings to hope that Leslie will simply disappear with the money, but Vanessa arrives with news. Leslie has brought a mansion directly across the street.

And while the Duprees brace for battle, something more sinister unfolds, Chelsea goes missing on her big night. We see a hand place a cloth over her mouth and the week ends with her laying in a bed, restrained. We can all guess who the culprit is.

Thumbs Up

• Anita’s slap, cathartic, explosive, and long overdue.

• Kat and Chelsea's relationship

Thumbs Down

• Kat pivoting from her investigation to Tomas talk felt oddly timed.

• Leslie's membership into the country club is unrealistic and contrived. We saw the way that Hayley was treated but they are bowing to Leslie? After the spectacle she made months before?

• Leslie moving directly across the street...see above.

Final Thoughts

I will cover this more in my six months review.