On the Wednesday, September 2, 2026, episode of “Beyond the Gates,” Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant) handled houses and music rights, Smitty (Mike Manning) felt responsible, and Doug (Jason Graham) was around for the anniversary of his murder.
Life Of A Boss
At his condo, Joey (Jon Lindstrom) found a glum Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) dispassionately going over her design specs for the Lakeview’s back room. Vanessa admitted that it had been a year since Doug had died, and that she dreaded digging through a box of his things that she had kept for Deanna. Joey flashed back to finding Doug’s letter saying Joey would be responsible in the event of Doug’s death and remembered burning it.
Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) was at the bar at Uptown drinking heavily when Joey called. Despite Randy slurring that he was trying to drown out the passing of his best friend, Joey still insisted on a meeting. Joey wanted to know where Randy was regarding finding out whether Doug had a safe deposit box, which Doug had written in his letter contained evidence. Randy had no leads and didn’t feel right about Joey’s directive to manipulate Vanessa into revealing its existence. Unmoved, Joey gave Randy the rest of the night to grieve but demanded that he do his job once the new day came.
Dance With My Father
Deanna (Angela Fairley) was outside Uptown waiting for her mother when Doug appeared to her, annoyed that it was taking so long to expose Joey. Noah (Nick Hagelin) happened upon Deanna, who pretended she’d been on a call using her earbuds. Deanna revealed the anniversary, and Noah felt foolish for not recognizing the date on Doug’s commemorative plaque at the clinic. Noah shared from his experience losing his mother that things didn’t actually get easier after the first year, which had been the platitude he had heard.
Noah asked Deanna if she wanted to see The Articulettes performing at D.C. Jazz Fest the following evening, but Deanna compassionately said she wasn’t in the mood. Afterward, Vanessa arrived with Doug’s box of belongings and reiterated how proud Doug had been of both Deanna and Donnell. Deanna still couldn’t understand how Vanessa could have taken up with Joey so quickly after the loss of Doug and decided she needed to go through Doug’s things alone. Vanessa left in tears, and Doug reappeared, encouraging Deanna to open the box he had left for her.
Milkshake
Leslie had treated Eva (Ambyr Michelle) and Izaiah (Lami) to a fancy dinner at the country club – but she interrupted it at the sight of Lionel Belleclaire (Anastasia’s first of four husbands), who had the influence that could cut the red tape preventing Leslie from resuming construction on her “shouse.” Izaiah and Eva watched as Leslie flirtatiously cozied up to Lionel, but Eva was grossed out when Leslie came back and indicated her breasts as one of her powers of persuasion.
After that display, Eva and Izaiah were ready to skip dessert, telling Leslie that they had their own dessert waiting at home. Leslie took the meaning, and Izaiah was all over Eva once they got back to the apartment. Eva slowed things down, insisting on being the one to set the pace – yet when Izaiah gently moved to take her top off, Eva held back, saying she needed a moment. Finally, Eva removed her clothes, and she and Izaiah made love without further incident.
And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going
Anita (Tamara Tunie) was getting ready to leave for dinner when the mansion doorbell rang – and Vernon (Clifton Davis) escorted Sharon (Bonita Brisker) and Tracy (Maria Howell) into the living room. The women wanted to personally persuade Anita to join them on stage at D.C. Jazz Fest, and Sharon dared Anita to prove her claim that her voice wasn’t ready, as she had said. Anita did fine harmonizing with her fellow singers until it came time to hit a high note, leading Sharon and Tracy to concede that Anita needed more time before performing publicly.
Changing topics, Tracy and Sharon delivered the news that their producer, Genoa City’s Devon Winters, had informed them that they’d need Leslie’s permission to use her mother Barbara’s archived vocals on the updated Articulettes EP. Anita grudgingly called Leslie and said she needed to meet with her.
Who Got Da Props?
Approached by The Articulettes, Leslie wasted no time copping an attitude about not getting the dinner with them that she had won at WinterFest. Leslie was more interested when Anita said the trio had come to discuss business, and Leslie listened enthralled as they divulged that their origin story wasn’t the record company’s creation of them being leaders of rival choirs – Barbara, Sharon, and Tracy had been Cabrini Green residents and best friends from a young age, and had happened to hear Anita singing via an open window in a neighboring building.
Leslie softened, willing to grant the rights to Barbara’s voice as long as she could sit in on the recording sessions – and receive a “great big” producer credit. Anita called Leslie out of her mind.
It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday
Smitty stared pensively at the article he had written about Lia Whitmore’s death. Martin (Brandon Claybon) found his despondent husband, who was shaken that Lia had died just after he’d visited her. When Smitty felt that his relentlessness in pursuing the truth and going back to question Lia could have resulted in her being killed, Martin argued that Smitty and Jacob could be wrong in their suspicions, and that Lia could have indeed overdosed of her own volition after being unable to bear her downfall.
Martin offered to cancel his squash game with Vernon to stay with Smitty, but Smitty encouraged him to keep the appointment, as he needed a little time alone. Conversely, when Martin arrived at the country club for his match with his grandfather, Vernon sent him home to support Smitty.
Vernon ran into Leslie, who scowled and said he should work to get Anita to accept her offer, which had an expiration date. The Articulettes told Vernon about Leslie’s demands, which Anita refused to honor, even though Tracy and Sharon sheepishly conceded that it was the only way for the record to move forward. Anita opted to have Vernon mediate, since he was a “consummate diplomat.” Vernon didn’t look excited about the prospect of negotiating with Leslie.
Beyond The Gates: Clip Of The Day
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