BTG: March 2025 Discussion Thread

At least the wedding was ruined and the Hamiltons had to get married in front of almost no one. Anita had no room to get angry because she should have supported Dani going to Paris and not demanded that she go to the wedding. Forcing her to be that was asking for a huge scene.

So I wonder why Leslie changed her name From Dana to Leslie, and I wonder if she's had plastic surgery, cause I don't think Ted cheated, I don't think she's(EVA) Ted's kid at all 

Episode #6 Monday March 3

CBS
https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/OoFXWQrjxMXmVsgIthmRfA_PMZL4u8hY/

ParamountPlus
https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/OoFXWQrjxMXmVsgIthmRfA_PMZL4u8hY/

I am making an attempt to watch on week 2.  Last week I felt lost with so many new characters.    I really wanted to know how the wedding ended, but I feel like I am never going to absorb it all.  I think I'm too old to start another soap!

What Dani did today was an "own goal".

She showed Bill the insanity he left behind. And she painted Hayley as this normal sane girl... Standing next to her.

It will be hard going from Faye Dunaway level of crazy to... making Bill want her back. Unless he is a masochist and wants to live in a state of constant mess and crazy. Which is possible. Who knows.

I just know I'm hooked and can't wait to see what happens next. I am starting to care now more about Dani... ever since I saw how unhinged she is... I actually felt empathy and pity. 

I've had my fill of Dani to last awhile... can we have a Dani free episode soon?

No wonder Bill dumped her, Hailey/Hayley seems less high maintenance then Dani.. and people don't like high maintenance.

16 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

Upcoming Chelsea and Dani scene:

 

9 minutes ago, janea4old said:

Episode #6 Monday March 3

CBS
https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/OoFXWQrjxMXmVsgIthmRfA_PMZL4u8hY/

ParamountPlus
https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/OoFXWQrjxMXmVsgIthmRfA_PMZL4u8hY/

Thank you as always, you are a God sent 💗 

5 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

I've had my fill of Dani to last awhile... can we have a Dani free episode soon?

No wonder Bill dumped her, Hailey/Hayley seems less high maintenance then Dani.. and people don't like high maintenance.

I predict if she is not back with Bill by Christmas... She'll be institutionalized after burning their house down.

Monday March 3 writing credits displayed after the opening theme:
 

Just now, janea4old said:

Monday March 3 writing credits displayed after the opening theme:
 

Thank you for posting. ❤️

AHN-dre and White Ashley stuck in the ABC Fan Fantasy crossover elevator is a cliche as old as the hills lol. "I'm sure she'll be here soon," her loaf of a husband tells the thin air for the third time. Please recast them both.

Karla has been killing it the last two days in particularly, first on Friday in the very vulnerable and beautiful (and well-dialogued, the best on the show so far) scenes with Andre and Bill and now in today's show going HAM. Was she OTT and foolish? Absolutely! That's soap opera. I don't mind a histrionic, narcissistic and messy character when they are presented honestly as such; it's not like the show is saying everything Carly Dani is doing is great, unlike at GH. Dani is her own worst enemy and the show clearly tells you that. I think KM's well-known crazy-ass soap opera eyes sometimes can obscure her talent lol. And her range, which she's proven to me in the last several shows much more than before. I never thought I'd buy her as a ladyboss of Chelsea's career, etc. But she's giving Erica Kane, among other more deranged examples.

Not too sure about that whole-ass afghan Leslie/Dana is wearing. But she's still great.

Nurse Shanice gossiping about the IG stream at the hospital is hysterical.

Edited March 3Mar 3 by Vee

40 minutes ago, Ponds said:

I am making an attempt to watch on week 2.  Last week I felt lost with so many new characters.    I really wanted to know how the wedding ended, but I feel like I am never going to absorb it all.  I think I'm too old to start another soap!

i might be, as well. i grew up with what’s often dismissed as “your grandmother’s soap.” for me soaps have always been about anticipation of a coming event, then the aftermath. only a week wedding anticipation felt rushed. and the wedding was so far over the top, i was actually thinking i was out. thankfully, it was only one day (don’t miss those week long soap weddings:) it was the initial aftermath between dani and anitia pulled me back in and made me want to see more. 

as for the rest of the episode, the elevator scenes were trite and predictable. and after only a week, i already know way too much about the leslie/eva/ted storyline, and can’t say that i’m all that interested to see how it unfolds. for me, the reveal should have played out over a couple of weeks — maybe even a month:)

Edited March 3Mar 3 by wonderwoman1951

Beyond the Gates has made me a faithful viewer of soaps, not just out of habit or to hate watch. 

I love that the characters range from grounded (Nicole, Naomi) to regal (Anita) to downright messy (Silk Press Sheila 😂⠀, Dani, and Bill). There are so many shades of Black POVs. 

That said, it's not perfect. I wish the show would pull back from Dani, who is exhausting. I actually like her and get why the writers have anchored the show around her. But every episode so far has been about her and everyone reacting to her stunt of the day. Today was no different, but the silly plot point of having the ex and her family show up at the wedding did make me feel bad for her. But I also see why Bill had enough of her. (Karla looked great tho). 

I wish one of the daughters was conflicted about Bill, torn between their parents. But lol at Chelsea's phone being perfectly positioned to catch her mom crashing out. 

Martin still doesn't do much for me as a character. He's just there. 

I love Black Amy Vining. She's my new fave, gossiping about everyone at the hospital. 

Derek does seem to have a hint of something being off about him. I'll take anything since he and Ashley are boring. 

I hope the Ted/Leslie story develops into a strong B story. I think he's been in three scenes so far. Also, wouldn't Ted have formed a friendship with Bill? That's an easy conflict with Nicole if he still wants to be cool with him. 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, CrazySexyQ said:

Beyond the Gates has made me a faithful viewer of soaps, not just out of habit or to hate watch. 

I love that the characters range from grounded (Nicole, Naomi) to regal (Anita) to downright messy (Silk Press Sheila 😂⠀, Dani, and Bill). There are so many shades of Black POVs. 

That said, it's not perfect. I wish the show would pull back from Dani, who is exhausting. I actually like her and get why the writers have anchored the show around her. But every episode so far has been about her and everyone reacting to her stunt of the day. Today was no different, but the silly plot point of having the ex and her family show up at the wedding did make me feel bad for her. But I also see why Bill had enough of her. (Karla looked great tho). 

I wish one of the daughters was conflicted about Bill, torn between their parents. But lol at Chelsea's phone being perfectly positioned to catch her mom crashing out. 

Martin still doesn't do much for me as a character. He's just there. 

I love Black Amy Vining. She's my new fave, gossiping about everyone at the hospital. 

Derek does seem to have a hint of something being off about him. I'll take anything since he and Ashley are boring. 

I hope the Ted/Leslie story develops into a strong B story. I think he's been in three scenes so far. Also, wouldn't Ted have formed a friendship with Bill? That's an easy conflict with Nicole if he still wants to be cool with him. 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to SON and the BTG topic😊

I love that Nicole went after Dani following Anita's dressing-down despite their differences. Tamara was great, too. You understood and totally got her anger while (for me, at least) understanding Dani's hurt. Same with Anita coldly dismissing Naomi when she doubled down on supporting herm other. Classic soap family nuances and crosscurrents.

Martin remains an android. "Humans are sometimes pushed to extremes!"

The reason Karla can do as much as she's doing (and do it well) as Dani is because Daphnee is so, so strong as a foundational character. Trying to get Anita to apologize, while Anita keeps her nose turned up.

Edited March 4Mar 4 by Vee

3 hours ago, Maxim said:

According to who? 

In soap operas... and in fiction... people can get their own impressions. That is mine. Maybe I'm limited to the fact that I've seen only year and a half of AMC and in 1988 and 1989... that's how their relationship is. Every time Erica is in the clouds or lying to herself or others... Mona has been the one bringing her back to reality. 

Sorry if I'm not the huge soap opera expert as you guys. I'm speaking from my own impressions.

According to me.

Mona was way more often Erica’s enabler than she was the person stepping in to tell her like it is. She spent years wringing her hands and staring in disbelief as Erica did Erica sht, and part of her always felt like there was more good than bad in her daughter, so she always attempted to get her to see things rationally. Then Erica would still end up doing Erica sht. Even in the very few cases where Mona would get aggressive with her, Erica never shrank down the way Dani did in response to Anita today. 
 

Everyone is indeed free to have their own interpretation, and you don’t have to be a soap opera expert to have one, but I figure if you’ve only see a year of a show, you’d be interested in the interpretations of those who’ve seen much more of it.