The episode was fine. The choices were odd.

This conversation with Anita should have happened after Martin told Nicole. 

Also, where 👏 is 👏 the 👏 drama 👏? Where is it?

No dramatic cliffhanger? Nicole just learned her son killed someone.

I felt like this episode was a letdown after the incredible episodes all week. I expected Nicole to go off!! I mean Dani-style OTT and it just seemed...lackluster. Maybe it was done intentionally to show she isn't like Dani, but still, after all she's been through. This was the time. She reacted more at Leslie in Orphey Gene's than she did to finding out her son murdered someone and everyone knew but her. Just odd as others have said. 

The Smitty/Samantha scenes were well done and then Jacob/Smitty. I hate that they are "breaking up". lol 

Martin going to the Country Club was weird! I mean, wouldn't he want to avoid everything and everyone? NOT go to where he was harassed by the stalker who is now dead. Not a way to move on and put it behind you. 

Glad to see Eva in the previews for next week! Missing her. 

Overall a great week. I was rarely bored as I am with Chelsea and Ashley's stories. 

7 minutes ago, GLATWT88 said:

No dramatic cliffhanger? Nicole just learned her son killed someone.

Well the next on BTG preview at the end of Friday's episode indicates that Nicole will go off

2 minutes ago, janea4old said:

Well the next on BTG preview at the end of Friday's episode indicates that Nicole will go off

Yes! But it's not the first time they've done this on a Friday episode where the previews were more exciting than the cliffhanger or lack thereof. 

6 minutes ago, Melroser said:

Martin going to the Country Club was weird! I mean, wouldn't he want to avoid everything and everyone? NOT go to where he was harassed by the stalker who is now dead. Not a way to move on and put it behind you. 

Well Orphey's is where he found out Kenny was dead during his tense and dropped press conference on the secret. That leaves Uptown. 

Really enjoyed today. Loved Nicole going off on Anita. I’m excited to see her on the war path.

Nicole has had enough of these people and their lies #BeyondTheGates pic.twitter.com/NLAhnEAx9S

— 𝚃𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚊𝚗𝚢 ♡ (@tiffyt83) July 18, 2025

 

 

 

Oh MUVA was gagged! #BeyondTheGates 😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/mSavzNMZfw

— #VernitaPrayerCircle! (@SWPRAYERCIRCLE2) July 18, 2025

 

Edited July 18Jul 18 by janea4old

Anita omitted telling Nicole about Bill, Marcel Malone, Joey Armstrong, and Chief Hawthorne -- all being part of the coverup.    When Nicole hears about that, she'll be amazing, again.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by janea4old

I did not like the Nicole reveal. There was no reason why Martin couldn't open up to his mother at this point. He is not a teenager. Anita and Vernon both should have encouraged him to be honest with his mother; he owes her that. Two years is way too long to be in the dark about something this serious happening to your child. And if one person should understand that, it should be Anita!  They're undermining her as a mom. And made matters worse.

 

On 7/17/2025 at 7:31 AM, Paul Raven said:

Speaking of that gruesome twosome, I don't find them sexy or exciting - just sleazy . Doug deserves better than Vanessa.

 

I did like Dani and Bill's interaction. Dani is better when not so OTT. And Bill nails it for me in every scene.

I completely agree with both points. I don't find anything sexy about Joey and Vanessa. Doug does not even matter to the writers.

17 hours ago, GLATWT88 said:

This is the last I will mention this, because what's done is done and I want to be hopeful that there is a greater vision and story in mind, but I think it was a total missed opportunity to make this night a secret to the audience. We missed an opportunity to explore race and the law in America and really go deep into what that means for black men in particular. This fall out that is happening now could have still happened with the audience in on the secret. We could have witnessed the attack and seen Vernon's struggle with doing what's right and what he felt he needed to do.

In today's episode Vernon said something to the effect of he should have called on his connections (which I made a point of yesterday), but instead he acted in fear. How much more thrilling would it have been to see Vernon call Bill, Elon, and Malone and concoct this whole plot out of fear of what could happen to Martin and himself. Instead we got repetitive conversations and scenes that appeared to be cut short because we were being held off from knowing too much about the secret. 

Also, Kenny shouldn't have been killed off. How brilliant would it have been for Martin to actually out himself. He was riddled with guilt, anxiety, and fear but he still decided to do what is right. We should have had a trial (probably wouldn't because there is no set). This trial should have highlighted all the dynamics that come into play with race, racism, and the legal system. It should have shown why Vernon was scared to do the right thing to begin with. It would have been soapy and it would have been timely.

We should also be shown how the Duprees having status and wealth are privileged but still vulnerable. Vernon's connections and Bill would ultimately get Martin free, but it would demonstrate how even in their privelege, they are still Black in America. Ultimately, this would give Martin a platform as congressman, even if he would have to start small again and build his way up. 

I may have mentioned this yesterday, but while being in on the secret we would understand why Martin was keeping the secret from Smitty. We would also still get to see Nicole spiral after learning something else her family kept from her. Nothing that is happening now would have been lost. 

Perosonally, I think there was such a lack of foresight in telling this story. If the focus was racism and how the law is bias, then this focus on a secret was not the best choice. Unless there was another element of secrecy like Martin having an affair but we don't need another one of those. 

I also agree with you guys that Smitty shouldn't have thrown Martin out. He clearly just heard the trauma that Martin had endured and everything he was dealing with the past two years and he decided that now is the time to kick him out? Martin messed up and he should have told Smitty sooner, but there should have been more of a discussion as @ranger1rg pointed out. 

You are not wrong! All this sounds fascinating to me. I agree it would have made things even more engaging to witness it in real-time. 

7 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Surprised Martin was driving a Toyota. Would have thought at least an Audi if not Benz or BMW.

A more prestigious car would have made Martin and Vernon more noticeable and vulnerable.

This made me laugh, so thank you.😂 I prefer an Audi.

2 hours ago, Faulkner said:

I was coming here to say the same thing. A missed opportunity to show the mother/son dynamics we’ve been denied for five months.

This is driving me up the wall. None of the writing for Nicole truly makes sense. Either they don't like Daphnee or don't understand how to write for a character like Nicole. 

1 hour ago, Melroser said:

I felt like this episode was a letdown after the incredible episodes all week. I expected Nicole to go off!! I mean Dani-style OTT and it just seemed...lackluster. Maybe it was done intentionally to show she isn't like Dani, but still, after all she's been through. This was the time. She reacted more at Leslie in Orphey Gene's than she did to finding out her son murdered someone and everyone knew but her. Just odd as others have said. 

The Smitty/Samantha scenes were well done and then Jacob/Smitty. I hate that they are "breaking up". lol 

Martin going to the Country Club was weird! I mean, wouldn't he want to avoid everything and everyone? NOT go to where he was harassed by the stalker who is now dead. Not a way to move on and put it behind you. 

Glad to see Eva in the previews for next week! Missing her. 

Overall a great week. I was rarely bored as I am with Chelsea and Ashley's stories. 

Same. If anything, Nicole's crash-out should be much more severe than Dani's. Dani should've been accustomed to Bill's cheating by now. Everything happening for Nicole is new and has her spiraling out of control.

COME THUR, HURRICANE NICOLE!!! lol. Starting...

 

Edited July 18Jul 18 by Taoboi

Is this supposed to be a stereotypical bad look? Murderous black men?

34 minutes ago, janea4old said:

Anita omitted telling Nicole about Bill, Marcel Malone, Joey Armstrong, and Chief Hawthorne -- all being part of the coverup.    When Nicole hears about that, she'll be amazing, again.

Anita also omitted that the racist/stalker was found dead after approaching Martin's kids. 

3 minutes ago, Vanguardian53 said:

Is this supposed to be a stereotypical bad look? Murderous black men?

lol ok.

Just now, Antoyne said:

lol ok.

Lol. Not ok

Oooo at the tension in this scene between Nicole and Anita while Nicole is gathering everyone in the room.