I dislike characters 'fading away'. If Derek is a goner, and I'm not sure he is, a couple of farewell scenes should be written where he decides to leave town for a better job, or be closer to sick parent etc.

It seldom makes sense when character just disappear.

I'm gonna say this and I don't care who's offended: just because the characters are black doesn't mean they should always be put into typical hero vs villain dynamics. Matter of fact the daytime soap operas have fallen behind because they still try to adhere to hero vs villain or anti hero vs villain stuff regardless of race. Stop being obsessed with characters being "likeable" or "easy to root for".

8 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

I dislike characters 'fading away'. If Derek is a goner, and I'm not sure he is, a couple of farewell scenes should be written where he decides to leave town for a better job, or be closer to sick parent etc.

It seldom makes sense when character just disappear.

The "Judy Winslow Effect." I've always hated it. Especially when it can be remedied with perfect ease. Greg Vaughan's "Kial" can be used as a current example. Isn't he supposed to be a traveling physician? Why not have incorporated that into the dialog to help explain his abrupt disappearance after giving Nicole that one and done neck massage that he gave her? It's the little things that often make a big difference.

12 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

I dislike characters 'fading away'. If Derek is a goner, and I'm not sure he is, a couple of farewell scenes should be written where he decides to leave town for a better job, or be closer to sick parent etc.

It seldom makes sense when character just disappear.

Yeah, I definitely would like an exit scene when/if he exits.

On 1/9/2026 at 8:41 AM, Broderick said:

I loved Tyrell's tirade about cotillion culture being a way to further separate the "haves" from the "have-nots", juxtaposed with Nicole's explanation of how the debutante society (as well as fraternities and sororities) raise money to help the very "have-nots" that Tyrell feels are being discriminated against by cotillions, fraternities, & sororities.

That conversation was NOT typical soap opera fare, and it was certainly something to think about.

I wish the conversation wasn’t skewed in favor of the heroine, Nicole. Tyrell did have a point. Fraternities and sororities are crime scenes more often than not. And donating money to charity… well, don’t get me started on that. Charities are there to maintain the status quo and clean the conscience of the rich and powerful. Not to mention that gated communities are a problem in their own right 😂 Studies have shown living in a gated community makes you paranoid about outsiders, more individualistic and so on.

But anyway going back to the Richardsons household, it’s not like there's ever been room for discussion there. Much like a politician, Martin is quite eager to shut down any debate with his kids. While Smitty plays father hen…

On 1/9/2026 at 9:00 PM, Liberty City said:

• The lighting department deserves several rounds of applause; the light of dawn in today's episode is beautiful, and of course Xavier captured it with his excellent eye. Love details like this. So much.

The lighting was so warm, it made the whole show look gorgeous. And the angles they’re experimenting are incredibly stunning. I kept taking screenshots, maybe I’ll post some of them later. Major props to the crew!!

On 1/9/2026 at 11:55 PM, Vee said:

They need to let Joey and Leslie fúck sooner or later.

I was appalled when Joey stopped Leslie saying ‘Don’t touch me’. I don’t think he’s ever touched a black character, let alone a black woman. Joey is a major racist and I’m wondering if this was planned or not.

Also I find it ridiculous that we’ve never seen him cook. He’s constantly in that back room, ruminating over whiskey. But he loves to cook. Such a weird character trait to give if you don’t want to show it ever.

On 1/10/2026 at 2:46 AM, Broderick said:

And I could be dead wrong.

But there's been a TON of literary symbolism going on the past few episodes that points to Naomi being pregnant. It's the type of thing writers & readers jump onto.

Anita yelled at Tracy the other day and broke a teacup. As she flung the cup, Senator Dupree walked in just as Anita yelled, "I want more grandchildren!"

Then, at the Mardi Gras celebration following Epiphany, Naomi (of all people) "got the baby". And Naomi didn't say it once, but yelled it twice, to drive the point home, that SHE was the one who "got the baby". Anita then brought Naomi a crown, which seemed to symbolize Anita "passing something" to Naomi (the triple negative cancer gene). At the end of the episode, Naomi presented Anita with a gift, by placing the crown on Anita's head for the photograph, indicating that Naomi would be "gifting" something to Anita later (the grandbaby that Anita told Tracy she wanted).

I’m genuinely in AWE of your ability to read through media. 👏

On 1/10/2026 at 3:48 AM, Soaplovers said:

I could see the show going in the direction of Naomi finding out she's pregnant when she's doing the tests for the gene. I also could see an Ellie Synder (ATWT) situation where she could possibly get an abortion because of this fear and also not wanting to put her career on hold for a baby without telling Jacob.

You’ve made me realize that she recently mentioned putting her career on hold to devote herself to something more noble I think, or useful to the community. Am I remembering correctly? In that case, it’s a bit of a contradiction given that she recently refused to have a child also because she cared about her career.

19 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

I dislike characters 'fading away'. If Derek is a goner, and I'm not sure he is, a couple of farewell scenes should be written where he decides to leave town for a better job, or be closer to sick parent etc.

It seldom makes sense when character just disappear.

I don't know any spoilers or have insider knowledge but I don't think Derek is going to disappear. It's so hard to say since the show has so many heavily recurring actors. Based on that my assumption is that he'll probably linger in the background but I do think we'll still see him here and there. I noticed the show posted an interview with him on Instagram talking about his favorite moments of season one. That and the fact they seem so hesitant to write anybody off.

Yeah, I think he will still get used.

Mind you...I just hope that it won't be as a spoiler in Ashley's next story.

17 hours ago, Aback said:

The lighting was so warm, it made the whole show look gorgeous. And the angles they’re experimenting are incredibly stunning. I kept taking screenshots, maybe I’ll post some of them later. Major props to the crew!!

I agree; the first week was brighter than bright (which is understandable, given they brought in temporary lights due to some issues) and then it got too green. By the end of Guza's tenure and into the beginning of Thompson's tenure, it definitely shifted into more natural-looking colours, and since the beginning of episode 201 it has been adjusted again and looks amazing. And yes, the new angles they've been trying are outstanding as well. Allowing us to see more of the existing sets.

Congratulations to Beyond the Gates for earning their first-ever nomination at the NAACP Image Awards in the category of Outstanding Drama Series.

Writers:
Jamey Giddens
Jazmen Darnell Brown

Director:
Phideaux Xavier

4 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

Ewww.

original release date: Monday, January 12, 2026 | writers: Jamey Giddens, Jazmen Darnell Brown | director: Phideaux Xavier

Thoughts:

• I love the dynamic of Naomi vs. Chelsea in their reactions; the true lawyer in Naomi has come out, and she is in full scheduling mode, while Chelsea is sitting in her own emotions. And then Katherine is useless... per usual.

• It breaks my heart seeing Dani so heartbroken, but thankfully, she has her sissy there to guide her through it with childhood memories and unconditional love.

• The dynamic between Andre and Ted is interesting; Andre is newly in the Dupree fold, while Ted is newly out of it. And then there is poor Carlton... that is going to be interesting.

• Bill's head is fully in the clouds of Dani Dupree. And Hayley is not having any of it, is she?

• Looks like Ted is about to reconnect with Carlton; is it going to be a positive reconnection or a negative one? Guess we will find out soon enough.

• I feel like it is natural for those who receive news, like what Dani has received, to not wallow in themselves for too long and really think about those that rely on them.

• That is right, Bill: your family needs you. Not the con artist child bride. Your family. The one you should still be with.

• I love that, in the quiet moment, Ashley knew exactly the kind of test that Naomi was likely about to request. The closeness she shares with Naomi is on full display.

• The gangster in Hayley is coming out at the most inopportune moments, and right now, it is in front of Tomas, who does not seem like he genuinely cares right now.

• Well, here comes Bill, asking directly for Dani. Sir, just admit you love her and want her back, and drop the ho at your office once and for all before you die.

• I appreciate Ashley doing everything she can without crossing too much of a line to help Naomi with what is going on right now. That is a genuine friend you would want in your corner at the end of the day.

• I appreciate Carlton and Ted having an adult conversation, all while Ted admits he still has some feelings towards seeing Carlton with Nicole. That is growth. True growth.

• I appreciate Dani calling back and referring to her conversation with Vernon about Bill being an old shoe. That is what I love seeing.

• Okay Ashley... get that date with the ever-so-hot Grayson You deserve this and yes, using it to the advantage of others is smart. You go!

• Uh-oh... Tomas is overhearing things he should not be hearing. This is getting juicier and juicier!

• Welp... Andre put Bill on official notice. But physically, I do think he is in over his head. He will be the ex-husband by the end of the year.

Notes:

• Another breakdown by writer², and unfortunately, Brown has to juggle the mess of it all. Thankfully, he is one of this serial's best scriptwriters, so he can handle it.

• Xavier's direction today is top-notch; the subtle moments of catching how an actor looks when we are likely not privy to it are amazing choices that he has made. Sets this serial apart from the others. And once again, he is introducing brand-new angles of sets. I mean, seeing Dani's ceiling? That is what I love seeing!!!

• I am with Naomi: it is beyond annoying to have to verify everything online or via "an app" because we cannot just be people in today's world. I hate it.

• Eye on Fashion? The Spencer Publication? I guess we have full clearance to connect Beyond the Gates to The Bold and the Beautiful at this point. Disappointing but also understandable.

Ohh things are heating up between Dani/Bill/Andre and I like it! Also can't wait to see Greyson tomorrow. And Tomas overhearing Hayley scheming! Getting good.