Beyond The Gates – Weekly Recap 6/23

The Secret and The Umbrella

This week, things come to a head with the secret Martin is keeping. Vernon brings Bill in. But Bill has a moment of stupidity when he tries to flex on Vernon like he’s self-made. Vernon checks him quickly and reminds him exactly who he’s talking to. I love, love, love seeing Vernon in this mode.

Ted gets brought up to speed. Apparently, he arranged for a new face for the “Busboy.” The storyline is starting to bring in the criminal element through Joey and the dirty cops. Jacob continues working with Smitty to investigate Marcel and Elon, and he brings his concerns about Martin directly to Naomi.

The busboy still needs to be handled, and frankly, I’m tired of seeing him on my screen. His racism is not subtle, and I’m starting to question what the point of it is. What are we supposed to take from this?

Later the busboy gets the payoff he wanted only for a surprise to be waiting for him.

The Dupree Women

Nicole is angry and takes it out on everybody but the people who actually deserve it. Anita stops by during a tour stop, and Nicole vents about Andre and Dani. She expects Anita to jump in on her side, but Anita gives her some hard truths instead. And honestly? Good. Someone needed to say it.

Dani can't seem to let go of Bill. Just as he shows up with an apology. Later Hayley shows up to flaunt her marriage but when Dani tells her not to get too secure she fakes cramping. Dani rushes her to the hospital. While there, Dani openly doubts the pregnancy. She calls Bill, he ignores her. It’s Ashley who finally gets through. Bill shows up, and Hayley does her usual routine. She says it is thanks to Dani for saving her but claims Dani made her feel insecure by saying Bill would eventually do the same thing to her. You know, Same Script, Different Cast. Bill, as always, takes offense and throws his love for Hayley in Dani’s face like clockwork.

Andre is there, because he lives at the hospital, apparently. He and Dani chat briefly, but when it’s time to go, he takes the elevator while she takes the stairs. The symbolism isn’t subtle. Later, he agrees to go on a date with Ashley. We’ll get to that foolishness in the wrap-up.

Kat tries to turn up the heat with Tomas, but he gets cold feet and leaves her unsatisfied. I call that a blessing.

Chelsea and Madison keep moving full steam ahead. They’re on a date at The Uptown, vibing and connecting. Allison shows up and asks for a moment alone. Madison leaves, saying she needs to get back to the hospital. Allison tells Chelsea she misses her. Craig gave her an ultimatum, and she chose him, but now he’s violent and she’s afraid. I don’t trust her. Chelsea tells her to contact law enforcement.

Sibling Rivalry

Eva is overwhelmed by her new job as Ted’s office manager. She storms out, tearfully admitting she can’t do it. But encouraging words from Nicole shift her perspective. She agrees to try again. She and Ted go to dinner at the country club, where they run into Kat. Of course, the sisters clash. Kat calls Eva out for protecting Leslie and implies she’s hiding evidence. Eva, who knows Kat is actually the one who stole the evidence that she stole, dares her to prove it.

Later, Ted convinces Kat to help Eva transition into the role, like she would with anyone else. To her credit, Kat does. But by Friday, that truce may be off. Kat sees Eva and Leslie having a conversation at Orphey’s.

Leslie and Eva have what looks like a heart-to-heart. Leslie starts to admit some of her wrongs. I tend to think it is more the loneliness talking than true care. Time will tell. Kat learns there’s new evidence and lets Leslie know she’s cooked.

Friday Cliffhanger

In the back room of the casino, Busboy Kenny counts his money...until Randy walks in, gun in hand. Let’s go.

Final Thoughts

This week wasn’t high drama, but it was good soap. Martin’s secret is clearly the umbrella story, and I love it when an arc impacts the full canvas. His mess touches Bill (the fixer), Ted (the surgeon), Vernon (the mastermind), the PD, and the criminal underground. That means it also impacts every family. That’s what soaps do best. The pacing, though? Slow. I need July sweeps to turn the heat up.

I’ve let go of the idea that this is a political or legal show. Honestly, I still don’t know what this show is about beyond the core family. General Hospital was supposed to be about medicine, it’s not. Bold & Beautiful is still about fashion. Y&R is business-focused. What is Beyond the Gates centered on? It’s a little all over the place. I’m hoping it finds its identity soon.

Now, about Hayley’s pregnancy...something’s off. I’m convinced it’s fake. I feel the whole thing was a set up. Hayley went looking for Bill, she learned that he was out. Then she rode past Dani's and saw his car. That just wouldn't do. It would impact her plans. She made a call to someone she could pay to portray the doctor who gave her and the baby a clean bill of health. We know that the nurse said that Hayley refused the ultrasound so why would the doctor's statement differ? What if she’s poisoning Bill? If she’s meant to be a grey vixen, let’s start seeing it. No more airhead energy. Let the actress step into it.

Highlights

• Anita checks Nicole and tells her the truth. Nicole needed that.

• More players entering Martin’s story—finally expanding the world.

• Smitty getting something to do beyond waiting around for Martin. About time.

Thumbs Down

• Using "illegitimate" to describe a child in 2025? Absolutely not. Especially not from a character descended from civil rights leaders. Let’s retire “illegitimate” and “bastard”—both classist and outdated.

• Andre agrees to a date with Ashley. He pressed Dani to be vulnerable and open… then tossed all of that the second Ashley looked his way. Ashley just turned down a proposal 24 hours ago, now she’s chasing Andre? She knew she wanted out of that relationship the moment Andre was an option. She gaslit Derek, and the writers have stained Andre in the process. Nobody asked for this pairing.

• Dani and Bill. The humiliation cycle needs to stop. Dani shows up, only to get slapped in the face emotionally. Who wrote that scene? Tyler Perry?