Beyond the Gates Recap Dec 22: Christmas parties begin as Anita struggles with her cancer diagnosis

In the Beyond the Gates recap for Monday, December 22, 2025, Dani and Martin each have tree trimming parties while Leslie gets on Ted’s last nerve, and Anita tries to deal with her devastating news.

Beyond the Gates Recap

At the Dupree mansion, Tracy wanted to know who Sharon had been talking to on the phone, but she claimed it was a telemarketer. Tracy accused her of telling someone about Anita’s healthcare, but as Sharon was insisting she would never do that, Vernon came in and wanted to know what they were talking about.

Sharon and Tracy said that they’d come to surprise Anita for Christmas, then did a lousy job of covering why Anita wasn’t there, but they were. Vernon chalked it up to them trying to cover for a Christmas gift or surprise.

When Tracy went to the restroom, Sharon told Vernon not to worry, as no one knew what was going on with them. Vernon said it wasn’t true, as someone did see them together — Leslie. Vernon said he didn’t trust her to keep quiet, but they had no choice. When Tracy returned, she and Sharon left together.

At the hospital, Dr. Ahn explained to Anita that she had triple-negative breast cancer, which was more aggressive and harder to control. Anita was overwhelmed but wanted to know about treatment so it could start as soon as possible. The doctor’s words were fuzzy as she processed the news.

Dr. Ahn suggested that Anita start coming to appointments with a support person. Anita asked for a moment alone. Dr. Ahn understood but reminded her that they’d need to act quickly.

At the nurses’ station, Leslie detailed how she knew Vernon was having an affair. Ted was irritated and told her to quit calling him “Teddy” as it was a major red flag for him. Leslie snapped that he was just “her friend, Ted.”

At the brownstone, the Richardsons awaited their guests for their tree-trimming party. June arrived and gave Tyrell and Samantha some ornaments they had made as kids. She told a sad tale about how she’d disappointed them that year by spending money on a tree on drugs. June recalled how she’d called CPS and given them the chance to have a loving home with a Christmas tree. 

Everyone cheered June up and told her that the decision was their good fortune. Tyrell told June how proud he was of her for turning her life around. “If it’s okay to say…I forgive you,” Tyrell added. June burst into tears as they hugged.

Eva arrived, and Martin noted he was surprised as he thought she was coming with their dad. Eva said she was fine coming on her own once she knew Kat wouldn’t be there. “What gave you that idea,” Kat said as she breezed through the door behind her.

Martin introduced June to Kat, and they had a nicer, official greeting than the first time at the diner. Kat told Samantha how excited she was about her cotillion. 

Ted arrived and apologized to Eva for telling her Kat wouldn’t be there, as he didn’t know she was coming there before going to Dani’s. Eva was fine with it, but noticed Ted was off. He said it was his first Christmas without the usual rituals.

Martin and Ted talked about their regrets of not telling the truth to their partners sooner. Martin still held hope that Ted and Nicole would work things out one day. Ted and Eva left after a pleasant visit.

When there was a knock at the door, Smitty answered. He held up a poinsettia to block the view as he announced he had a surprise: June’s sister, Regina. It was an emotional reunion for all.

The family sat around and reminisced until Regina thought she should leave. Tyrell and Samantha hung the ornaments they’d made as kids. Samantha asked Regina to put the angel on the tree as she was their guardian, watching over them for so many years. 

Regina asked June to spend the night and Christmas Day with her. June said she’d love that. Regina told her that all those years ago, she made the right decision. 

Martin and Smitty looked at the tree. Smitty was in awe of how much the kids had gone through before they met them. Martin said they were resilient, like the ornaments.

At Dani’s house, Andre began trimming the tree as Nicole and Naomi came to help. Naomi told her mom that she and Jacob weren’t speaking. They were bummed that Chelsea and Kat weren’t coming, but Dani was ready to party with just the four of them.

Jacob arrived, and they wanted to know what his fight was about with Naomi. Jacob told them that Naomi snooped and found her gift — and hated it. Jacob showed them a Mexican hat that sprayed water, and they mostly agreed it wasn’t the best.

Jacob pulled Naomi aside and managed to let her know during her ranting that the monkey hat was just a messenger. He said it was a popular souvenir and that the real gift was a trip to Mexico. Naomi’s face lit up. Naomi apologized, and they made up.

Chelsea showed up as Madison got called to the hospital to work. Naomi and Chelsea did a commercial for Cascade as they helped do the dishes so Dani wouldn’t have to after the party.

Kat showed up in time to put the star on top of the pink tree and everyone cheered.

Later alone, Dani wondered what her gift from Andre would be, but she said she had to wait. Andre pulled out the mistletoe instead.

When Nicole came home, she found Ted in her place waiting for her. He told her that he didn’t want to keep any more secrets from her, so he said that Vernon was having an affair.

Tracy and Sharon went to Uptown to meet Anita. She was sitting at the bar having a drink with Dr. Ahn’s words repeating in her head. They asked if it was cancer, and she tearfully nodded.

After Anita left, Sharon and Tracy said that they would help Anita through it. Tracy said she wanted the truth, finally, so Sharon told her she would tell her what was going on with her and Vernon.

Anita came home to find Vernon waiting for her. She asked him to sit with her. “Vernon, I have bad news,” Anita began.