Timon Durrett as Bill Hamilton and Karla Mosley as Danielle Dupree Hamilton on the CBS original series Beyond the Gates: Image Courtesy of Quantrell Colbert-CBS
Soap fans know that for a daytime drama to truly be the kind of soap opera we love, you need to enjoy how much you hate the villains, and the relationships must be turbulent enough to keep you hooked. Week 2 of Beyond the Gates gave us exactly that, ramping up the drama and providing a clearer look at the troublemakers and troubled relationships. By week's end, I found myself questioning who the true villains were and pondering how far the Dupree family would go to safeguard their own.
An adulterer, yes—but is Bill Hamilton really the villain?
In the first week, I was quick to label Bill as the clear villain, but after Tuesday's episode (#7 WK2), I’m not so sure. Bill’s obsession with the Dupree family is growing, but the Duprees themselves are starting to show their darker sides.
Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and his family initially keep Dani out of jail by subtly intimidating the police officer investigating the shooting incident involving Dani (Karla Mosley) at the wedding. This revelation puts Bill’s actions in a new light—maybe he’s just tired of the Duprees using their power and influence to avoid consequences.
Brandon Claybon as Martin Richardson and Mike Manning as Brian 'Smitty' Smith-Beyond the Gates: Image courtesy of Quantrell Colbert/CBS
Week 2 we get a deeper look at the personal lives of key characters and the growing tensions in their relationships. Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) starts to feel jealous of Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob), especially after she bonds with Andre Hamilton (Sean Freeman). The two helped a woman give birth while stuck in an elevator, and while Derek listens to them recount the experience, you can see the concern in his eyes. But maybe it’s not just about their bond—Derek almost seems annoyed by Ashley’s dedication to her work.
Bradley 'Smitty' Smith (Mike Manning) is clearly struggling with his role as a stay-at-home dad, while his husband, Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon), sets his sights on running for president. Martin even goes so far as to forbid Smitty from returning to his old career as a journalist.
Meanwhile, Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) is getting tangled up with Fairmont Crest employee Diego (Carlos Enrique Palacio), while her husband, Dr. Doug McBride (Jason Graham), sinks further into debt due to his secret gambling addiction. And Vanessa isn’t exactly being discreet—her public PDA moments are making it obvious.
Beyond the Gates
A recap of the explosive first week of Beyond the Gates, featuring tense family drama, jaw-dropping moments, and standout performances. Who’s scheming, and who’s in control?
Image of Trisha Mann as Leslie Thomas and Ambyr Michelle as Eva Thomas on the CBS original series Beyond the Gates Image Courtesy of Quantrell Colbert/CBS
A New Troublemaker Emerges
Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann) looks more dangerous with each episode and might just become soap fans’ next memorable villain. Her daughter, Eva (Ambyr Michelle), seems clueless about just how manipulative her mother is.
When Eva confronts Leslie about the attack on Nicole’s assistant, Laura Peterson (Destiny Love), Leslie has no problem lying straight to her daughter’s face. Meanwhile, Eva struggles to keep Kat Richardson’s (Colby Muhammad) suspicions at bay as she tries to sneak information from Nicole Dupree’s office files.
General Hospital's Jon Lindstrom makes his debut as Joey Armstrong on Friday’s episode, and things get interesting fast. Joey clears Doug’s gambling debt and hands him an envelope full of money to keep feeding his addiction. What’s his angle? As Doug gets deeper into his dealings with Joey, Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) warns him to stay away—but is Randy looking out for Doug, or setting him up for something even bigger?
CBS' Beyond the Gates
Get to know the newest families coming to daytime drama with this cast and character guide: Beyond the Gates Character Guide
(L to R) Image of Timon Durrett as Bill Hamilton, Trisha Mann as Leslie Thomas, Mike Manning as Brian ’Smitty’ Smith on the CBS original series Beyond the Gates: Image Courtesy of Quantrell Colbert/CBS
Cliffhanger and What’s Coming Next
Just when you think Doug McBride’s risky deal with Joey Armstrong and Dani’s arrest by Detective Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) would be enough of a cliffhanger, Beyond the Gates takes it up another notch.
Nicole (Daphnée Duplaix), who was absent from the family meeting, rushes to the hospital rooftop to stop a woman from jumping. That woman? Leslie. While it’s unclear if Nicole knows her, the trailer for next week hints that Nicole’s husband, Ted (Maurice Johnson), certainly does—and he’s not happy about it.
So, is Bill Hamilton really the villain, or is he just fed up with the Dupree family getting away with everything? Does Leslie Thomas want revenge for her daughter, or is she a dangerous stalker who will do anything to get the man she wants? Will Smitty follow Martin's orders or will he return to his career? And there are a few other relationships not mentioned here that might blow up next week.
One of the relationships on the chopping block could be Naomi and Jacob Hawthorne. Given the opportunity, many would jump at the chance to see their mother-in-law behind bars. Just don’t expect to still be married when you get home.
Quote of the Week
"Just because you've had it on lock for years, doesn't mean you don't need to keep locking it down." – Dani Dupree, Episode #10
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