Beyond the Gates: When Vanessa Drops Her Bombshell, Will Nicole Be a Friend or a Warden?

On Beyond the Gates, Vanessa and Nicole are BFFs, but there is a fine line between a concerned best friend and a judgmental warden — and Nicole Dupree Richardson walks it often.

Are Vanessa and Nicole Really Besties on Beyond the Gates?

This week on Beyond the Gates, Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) is armed with scandalous info that she plans to unload on Nicole (Daphnée Duplaix) tomorrow. But before the words even leave Vanessa’s mouth, we have to ask the question fans have been whispering for weeks: Is Nicole capable of just listening, or is she going to turn this conversation into a lecture?

Let’s be real: the dynamic between Nicole and Vanessa is, at times, lopsided. Admittedly, Vanessa has been bringing out her wild side — but at the end of the day, she’s being herself. And she likes what she sees. But her best friend Nicole — while teetering on her throne of perfection as a world-renowned psychiatrist — seems to put her own flaws and training aside to dispense judgment rather than empathy. 

If Vanessa comes to Nicole with life-ruining news, and Nicole’s first instinct is to scold her like an unruly teenager, that isn’t friendship. That is emotional probation.

Sometimes, Vanessa Needs a Reality Check

However, before we paint Nicole as the villain, look at the facts. Vanessa does seem to be spiraling at times. She is making dangerous plays and putting herself in risky situations. 

From Nicole’s perspective, if she doesn’t clutch her pearls and deliver a harsh dose of reality, Vanessa might be her own worst enemy.

The Verdict

Nicole is too judgey. She treats Vanessa’s life like it’s her job to critique it. But actually, her job should have given her the skills to handle conversations with her friend effectively. When Doug (Jason Graham) died (actually, long before that), Vanessa’s discernment was broken. 

Vanessa might need Nicole’s overly critical mind to save her from herself…when she asks for it. Until then, they might have a one-way friendship. But unless Vanessa tells Nicole clearly to stop talking to her like she’s a one-woman demolition derby, Nicole’s going to keep slamming on the brakes every time she seeks her approval.

SEO Title: Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Why Nicole’s Reaction to Vanessa’s Secret Could End Their Friendship