Beyond the Gates Just Detonated a Bomb, But It’s the Aftershocks We’re Dying For

Ashes, Ashes, Leslie Burns ’Em All Down

Ooo, child. Leslie lit Ted on fire this week. And it was a glorious fire, too. Her version of her affair with Ted was so good, I wish I could have seen it. (Read the recap.) I have to say I enjoyed Ted’s reckoning. What he did to Nicole at her lowest point was despicable.

Nice addition to the story: the incorporation of Bill as the lawyer who offered Leslie money and threatened her. This tidbit comes out, just as Bill is trying to reconnect with his daughters. I’m very interested in learning more about the secrets Bill is holding for the Duprees! That’s how you balance the levers of power. Classic soap!

Leslie’s not a reliable narrator, either. She lied to Eva her entire life about Ted knowing she was out in the world and she hallucinates quite often about Nicole and Ted. But she’s got plans that Eva doesn’t know about. Her delusions fuel her audacity.

The only shortcoming in my eyes this week was Nicole’s reaction. I was expecting her to challenge Leslie more in this moment. And to certainly lay into Ted. Sometimes, Nicole can be an ice queen. She could have used her cold powers to cut him in ways no one thought possible. Instead, she ran home. I’ve accepted her not being observant enough about Ted’s behavior to investigate because I thought there would be a big payoff in her reaction during this moment. It didn’t happen. I hope she’s more dynamic in the next leg of this story.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

I can’t go on without singling out Ambyr Michelle, who plays Eva, for her performance. Every feeling Eva had, even when not speaking, was palpable. I can’t wait to watch Eva develop even more as a character.

I’ve said before that the writing team has executed this story perfectly. And now, the fallout will give them more story for years to come. For instance, Eva’s paternity is still in question.

More: Beyond the Gates star heading for a wedding

Shocks and Aftershocks

The way the fallout touched on the rest of the canvas was delicious. Dani and Andre talked about how Ted committed himself to Nicole after ending his affair while Bill chose his lover. What a great way to add even more depth to Dani’s pain while also giving more depth to these two as a couple.

Doug interrogating Vanessa about being so judgmental about Ted cheating was also a solid tie to their own complicated relationship. Her views are supposed to be more cosmopolitan. Then there’s the fact that Vanessa takes a lot of extramarital rolls in the hay. Doug and Vanessa’s conversation also hung a light on how Vanessa keeps other people’s secrets even from Doug. Though she doesn’t leverage the secrets for power a la Bill Hamilton.

And let’s talk about that Friday cliffhanger, Leslie walking into Chez Dupree like she owns the place. That’s the kind of unhinged behavior we love to see in a daytime villainess!

Let’s Move On…

… from Martin’s secret. The character isn’t strong enough to survive a Kennedy-esque girl-dies-in-car-accident scenario. Though his personality glow-up hasn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

… from Hayley dragging Bill down. He’s a viable character and has powerful connections across the canvas. She doesn’t add to him and isn’t viable on her own. If she were, she’d have enough charisma and determination to push her own levers of power and be a real asset to Bill until she accumulates enough power to be on her own.

… from Derek and Ashley anything.