Beyond the Gates Reveals a New Pair of Troublemakers — and Dani Comes Out Swinging Against Bill!
Today on Beyond the Gates, Hayley appeals to Nicole, Bill pays a tense visit to Dupree Manor and Dani takes matters into her own (golf club-wielding) hands.
Fresh off her scuffle with Hayley at the country club, we pick back up with Dani in an even lower place, scrolling through her camera roll and remembering the “good times” with Bill.
She’s full-on sobbing as she insists, “He loved me. It was right there in his eyes. I’m not delusional.” (To be fair, the jury’s still out on that one.)
Anita swoops in to comfort her daughter, acknowledging that she put on “quite a display of temper” at the club. Even though Anita doesn’t condone violence, she admits that “sometimes folks deserve a sucker punch,” though she also warns Dani not to make a habit out of it.
Then comes the tough love: “You’re a Dupree woman. Tap into that heritage,” Anita says, adding that Dani needs to be “mindful” of the next man she decides to bring into the Duprees’ inner circle. But Dani insists that she doesn’t have time to look for anyone new — because she’ll be too busy making Bill and Hayley pay.
Nicole Sends Hayley and Her Cookies Packing
Speaking of the other woman, Hayley makes yet another attempt to reenter the Duprees’ inner circle, this time trying her luck with Nicole. Hayley thinks that showing up to her office with cookies will help smooth everything over, but even after hearing her out, Nicole makes it clear that forgiving Hayley is entirely up to Dani and everyone else will follow her lead. “Please take your cookies and go,” she says.
And Nicole’s morning had been going so well up to that point. She was excited about choosing the winner of the family’s heritage foundation scholarship, she was putting together a menu for an upcoming event, and she even snagged some face time with Ted, her hot plastic surgeon husband.
(A man who won’t leave the house without kissing you and telling you that you smell delicious? Hold on to that one for dear life, girl!)
A Mother-Daughter Scheme Team Threatens the Duprees
If you don’t think Nicole needs to keep an eye on her man, let’s talk about what goes down at the hospital: Ashley receives a visit from her mother, their friend Leslie and her daughter Eva, all of whom are very proud of Ashley. Ashley also enjoys another flirty exchange with Andre, but we’re not here to talk about that playboy right now.
No, we’re more interested in Leslie and Eva. Could they have ulterior motives for visiting Ashley? When Nicole’s husband Ted arrives at the hospital, Leslie’s eyes linger on him a little too long for our liking.
Suspicions are raised further when Leslie and Eva return home. “You don’t have to do this,” Leslie tells her daughter. “I’ll find another way that doesn’t involve you.”
But Eva will not be deterred. “I am involved, and I’m good to go,” she says. “What makes me uncomfortable is thinking about what you went through all those years ago. You deserved better, mom, and it’s time for you to have it. So don’t worry about me — I’m all in.”
Just what are these two plotting?!
Martin Eyes His Next Move
Back at the club, Dani and Hayley’s public spat is still the topic of conversation for Vernon and Martin, who have slightly different views on the matter. Vernon remains firm in his belief that violence is never the answer, while Martin takes a more openminded approach: “This isn’t the bad old days. Some people deserve to get a punch in the face.” (Yes! Can we please get more of this Martin?)
Vernon then pivots to something Martin told him earlier that day, about wanting “more.” Martin insists there isn’t trouble at home — he and his journalist husband Smitty are perfectly happy — but that he’s seeking a new challenge. Vernon has gotten him all the way to the House of Representatives, but now what?
Whatever the future may hold, Vernon assures Martin that he’s “a good man with a kind and generous heart,” telling him, “I’m proud to call you my grandson. Nothing you’ve ever done has changed that, and nothing ever will.” (Nothing, eh? Let’s see what the writers have to say about that.)
Martin’s ‘Overactive Imagination’ Spells Trouble
Martin returns home, where Smitty shares the good news that their teenage son passed his math test. But merely passing isn’t good enough for Martin, and the fact their son is “going through something” doesn’t seem to make a difference. Of course, that’s just one problem on the parents’ plate — they also have to decide whether they want to allow their teenage daughter to start dating.
Martin seems generally checked out from what’s going at home, and Smitty can’t help but worry about him. He even notes that Martin has been having strange dreams again, which apparently happens during times of great stress.
“Let’s just call it an overactive imagination, combined with exhaustion,” Martin says. (Look, guy, you can call it whatever you want. We’re calling it a future storyline.)
Bill Takes Matters Into His Own Hands
Back at Bill’s office, Hayley brings her fiancé up to speed on the Dani situation, but she stops him from immediately making an angry phone call. “This is my battle,” she says. “You running to my rescue just makes me look weak.” He obliges, but when she starts talking about wanting to cancel the wedding and elope, he decides to take action.
And just like that, Bill is at the Duprees’ front door. While he acknowledges that the punch was “not cool on Dani’s part,” Bill isn’t looking for an apology. He’s just looking for bodies. Since Hayley has no family of her own, Bill asks Vernon to rally his family and the community at large to attend the wedding.
It’s a hard no from Vernon — that is, until Bill asks him to consider all the favors he’s called in for the Duprees over the years, saying that he’s merely looking for the same consideration. “Just think about it,” he says.
When he relays the encounter to Anita, Vernon says that Bill seemed uncharacteristically humble and sincere, which is what worries Anita the most. They aren’t sure what Bill is up to, but they agree on one thing — they can’t trust him. More than that, they need to “protect” Martin at all costs.
(Wait, what does Martin have to do with all of this?)
Dani Comes Out Swinging
And what is Dani up to while all of this is going down? Oh, nothing unusual — just getting drunk in the mirror while she applies her makeup like an absolute lunatic. And why shouldn’t she get all gussied up? She has big plans!
The episode ends with Dani charging into Bill’s office, golf club in hand, looking for a fight — and we’d say she’s found one.