Beyond the Gates Recap Monday, December 1, 2025, Smitty confronts Joey, Vanessa meets some real housewives
On the Beyond the Gates episode on Monday, December 1st, 2025, Smitty confronted Joey, Derek went off on Andre, and Vanessa tried to spice up the lives of some real housewives.
What Happened on Beyond the Gates
At the brownstone, Smitty worked with Martin’s campaign manager, sorting through checks for her to organize. He was surprised to open an envelope and see a check from Joey Armstrong. Smitty and the campaign manager agreed that all monies had to be reported and that a check from Joey was a really bad look for Martin. Not long after, Martin came home, and she told him that Smitty had seen the check from Joey and didn’t know where he’d gone, but the check wasn’t there anymore, and neither was Smitty.
At the hospital, Andre ran into Derek and said he’d heard about him and Ashley. He wondered if there was a way that they could work things out. Derek went off on him, accusing Andre of knowing something he didn’t and suggesting he was only asking because Andre wanted to throw his hat in the ring.
Andre tried to wish Derek well so he could go see Ted, but Derek was agitated. Andre left as Ashley walked over. Derek blasted her for Andre’s evasiveness and barked for her to tell him what Andre wouldn’t say.
Ted told Andre he could tell he was distracted when he’d walked in the door, and asked why. Andre said that Derek caught him off guard. He wondered what Ashley was thinking texting him that night. Andre admitted that he was in love with Dani, but he had pictured a life with Ashley before that.
Meanwhile, Ashley reminded Derek that he promised not to ambush her at work. Derek angrily demanded to know what Andre bit his tongue about, so Ashley told him that after they broke up, she asked Andre if they had a chance at being together.
Derek wanted details, like when she asked Andre. He said the day she took off her ring, he couldn’t keep it together. Ashley admitted it was that same night that she’d called Andre. Derek demanded to know her feelings for Andre and wondered why she kept him around like he was second best if she wanted Andre instead. Ashley reminded him that she loved him, but he was manipulating her.
Derek pointed out that he’d lied about his legs because he was afraid of losing her to Andre, and it turned out that he was right about her feelings. He wondered if he hadn’t had the accident, if they would have been together at all. He said that ever since she found him standing on his feet, everything was his fault, but she was to blame as well, as they had both been dishonest with one another.
Ted told Andre he could tell he was distracted when he’d walked in the door, and wanted to know why. Andre said that Derek caught him off guard. He wondered what Ashley was thinking texting him that night. Andre admitted that he was in love with Dani, but he had pictured a life with Ashley before that.
Derek stormed off, and Ashley went to the nurses’ station and snapped at Shanice, who had watched the whole argument. She challenged her to tell her what was on her mind, assuming that she thought she was awful and should find a new job.
Shanice told Ashley that when Derek moved out, his coworker Cheryl made a move on him, but he’d turned her down. Shanice pointed out that Derek still loved her, and Ashley wished she hadn’t told her about that. Andre passed by and asked if all was well. She said it would be, and he told her to take care before leaving. Ashley choked back tears.
At the country club, Vanessa handed her business card to two women named Gloria and Calliope. She promised the real housewives some adventure, who were intrigued. Vanessa said she could put some oomph in their married lives. Dani arrived, so Vanessa went over to greet her, then they got their own table.
Dani wanted to know since when Vanessa had been cohorting with the likes of Gloria and Calliope, noting that Chelsea called them the Icebergs. Vanessa teased that they were all a bunch of girls who wanted the same things. Dani suggested that Vanessa was drumming up real estate business, but Vanessa reminded her that business could be pleasurable. Dani noted that Gloria closed on a house a week ago and wanted to know what was really going on.
Vanessa changed the topic by noticing Dani’s wedding ring. Dani gushed about her honeymoon and finding love with Andre. Then she realized she was being insensitive, as this was Vanessa’s first Thanksgiving without Doug. Vanessa told her how she was compartmentalizing her feelings to get through it.
Dani and Vanessa were interrupted by Gloria and Calliope. They said they called the number Vanessa had given them. “Let it be known, I am very much married, and I am off the market,” Calliope scolded. Gloria swiped that the Farimont Crest wasn’t a makeshift love hotel and flicked her hair as she threw her business card on the table and walked away.
Dani was mortified that Vanessa was passing out business cards at the country club for Heart Attach. She said that Gloria and Calliope could call the rules board on her, but Vanessa laughed that they had clients in high places. Dani thought that Joey was getting Vanessa to gather clientele at the club for him, but Vanessa happily told her that she ran the company now. “Why?!” Dani wanted to know.
Vanessa explained that she provided companionship to consulting adults. “No matter how you pretty it up, it’s still prostitution,” Dani snapped. Vanessa said she ran a legitimate business that paid taxes, but Dani said she was out of character. Vanessa told her she was more herself than ever and to stop being so sanctimonious. Telling Dani to back off as she “needed it,” Vanessa walked away.
Dani followed Vanessa to the couch and sat with her. Vanessa cried that she was invisible when she was married to Doug. But now she had something, and she wanted Dani to stop judging her. She talked about her marriage, the lack of love life and intimacy she had, and so what if she found something that gave her life again. Noting that Dani and Nicole had busy lives, she made it clear that even if they had more time for her, it wouldn’t have kept her away from Joey, as she genuinely liked him.
Dani wanted to help her, but Vanessa had no problem running a legal business. Dani adamantly reminded her that Joey was dangerous. “Like I said, I’ll love you through anything,” Vanessa said firmly. Dani said she might not like what Vanessa was doing, but appreciated her honesty. They hugged it out but Vanessa looked like she was still holding a lot in.
Bill came to the Dupree mansion. Vernon asked what brought him by, prompting Bill to note that it used to be that he didn’t need a reason. Bill took a walk down memory lane about time he’d spent in the mansion. Vernon agreed they’d pulled together during Chelsea’s kidnapping, but not long ago, Bill stood in that same room telling him he resented his treatment.
Bill said that he said and did some things out of being hurt, and in trying to stand up for himself and his wife. Vernon said something had changed since then, and wondered why Bill was being nostalgic. Bill admitted he regretted what happened with Dani and what it did to the family, including how he lost the love of Vernon and Anita.
Bill said that his perspective now was that he wanted to do things right by Hayley. Vernon said it was touching, he just wished he’d felt that protective of Dani. Vernon said that Bill ripped his heart out, too, when he left Dani. Vernon said he could apologize for not drawing Bill closer and mean it, but only Bill could say whether or not it would’ve made a difference.
Bill said being part of the Dupree family was part of the best years of his life, but he was happy with Hayley now. Vernon sneered that he’d brought whatever he got upon himself now. “I will never forgive you for how you broke my daughter’s heart,” Vernon said angrily. He told him he wished he’d done better and gave his best to Dani in the end, without all the animosity and pain and grandstanding. Bill admitted he didn’t live up to his own standard, or Vernon’s. Vernon suggested that Bill do better next time. He said that Dani had risen from the ashes and had someone devoted to her.
Smitty went to the casino, pulled out the check, and placed it on the table. He told Joey he was there to ask him to leave Martin alone.
Joey told Smitty it was a generous campaign donation, but Smitty said it could tank the entire election, and he knew it. Smitty added that every election has someone like Martin and asked Joey to let him be who he was, with clean hands. “You think I’m dangerous,” Joey said. “I know you are,” Smitty retorted. “You don’t have a clue,” Joey seethed. Just then, Martin walked in, surprised to find his husband there. “Congressman. Funny, we were just talking about you,” Joey told him.
As a means to diffuse Joey’s irritation against Smitty, Martin indignantly reminded Joey that he probably has someone in his life who cares about him, no matter what, and would defend him as well. Joey told him that he wasn’t good or bad; he just liked having a congressman in his pocket. Martin gave him a short ethics lecture, and Joey snarked that he had his vote.
Martin told Joey that if someone like Smitty upsets him, he should grow thicker skin. As Martin and Smitty walked away, Joey held up the envelope with his donation and asked if he’d forgotten something. Martin said he didn’t and left.
Later back at home, Smitty told Martin that he didn’t need to protect him, but thought it was hot the way that he’d stood up to Joey. Martin said that Joey had them right where he wanted them.