Image (L to R) of Marquita Goings as Hayley Lawson and Ellie Wang as Caroline Lee in Beyond the Gates-Courtesy of Quantrell Colbert/CBS
The first week of Beyond The Gates didn’t hold back when it came to drama. While the first five episodes served as a “meet the characters” intro, two storylines and one character really captured my attention. I’m also curious (though I have a guess) how the Dupree family will handle Friday’s tense cliffhanger.
In the opening week, we meet the Dupree family—each member seems to have their own agenda. The family’s power dynamics are immediately apparent, especially when it comes to Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley).
Her chaotic relationship with her ex-husband Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) quickly takes center stage, culminating in a jaw-dropping scene at his wedding. Meanwhile, while all eyes are on the Dupree drama, mother and daughter Leslie and Eva Thomas give viewers a glimpse of just how far they’re willing to go to succeed.
Image (L to R) Karla Mosley as Danielle Dupree Hamilton and Cady McClain as Pamela Curtis in Beyond the Gates-Quantrell Colbert/CBS
Karla Mosley’s standout performance as Dani is the highlight of the week. The outfit Dani wore to her ex-husband's wedding was stunning. Her fiery outbursts reveal a character full of emotional baggage, making her the one to watch this season.
The rest of the family has their moments too, with Nicole coming across as the more grounded yet conflicted daughter, and Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) doing her best to hold it all together.
We get a fun moment for fans of daytime soaps, Cady McClain popped up at the wedding in Friday's episode as Pamela Curtis, Dani's supportive friend. For those new to soaps, McClain is known for playing Jennifer Horton on Days of Our Lives and Dixie Cooney on All My Children. McClain’s real-life husband, Jon Lindstrom, plays Ryan Chamberlain on General Hospital.
While Dani and her ex-husband Bill brought solid drama, what really grabbed my attention was Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant). It seems like she may have been willing to kill to get her daughter Eva (Ambyr Michelle) a job with Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnée Duplaix). If it was just about blackmail, there are easier ways to handle it without landing someone in the hospital. I’m guessing money isn't the goal—it's revenge.
Pacing-wise, the first week is solid, though a few episodes did feel like they dragged a bit while the show set the stage. But Mosley’s performance keeps it grounded, making every scene with Dani a must-watch.
Image Clifton Davis as Vernon Dupree and Timon Durrett as Bill Hamilton in Beyond the Gates-Courtesy of Quantrell Colbert/CBS
Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) might have thought he was finally done with Bill when he said, “This is the last favor you will ever get from a Dupree,” referring to Bill pressuring Vernon into making sure the Dupree family showed up at the wedding. But after Dani’s actions on Friday, I’m guessing Vernon will owe Bill another favor.
With the cliffhanger leaving so many questions in the air, I’m excited to see how the Dupree family will navigate the fallout. Will Dani end up in prison? What does Bill have on the Dupree family? And what exactly are Leslie Thomas and her daughter after? I can’t wait to find out.
Stay Tuned—Subscribe below for more updates and sneak peeks!
From TV shows and movie premieres to reading about the vibrant culture of The Bronx, TalkTeaV has you covered. Don't forget to join the conversation on social media—links below!
