Beyond the Gates Recap Dec 3: Vanessa gets rejected

In the Beyond the Gates recap for Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, Vanessa gets rejected twice, Vernon visits Joey, and Samantha breaks the rules.

Beyond the Gates Recap

At the country club, Martin told Vernon he needed all the help he could get on his campaign. He didn’t think Shonda would have a problem with him joining the team. Martin told him his campaign issues that he was running on, but Martin thought it sounded boring. Vernon showed him his social media and the comments he got, noting that he was in the loop for what motivated people.

Speaking of young people, Martin and Vernon agreed that they wanted to keep Samantha and Tyrell out of the press during his campaign. They talked about Joey’s contribution and how Martin walked into his casino and told Joey straight up he didn’t have the leverage he thought. Vernon thought that took courage; Martin said he got it from him. Martin left to meet his family at the diner.

At the hospital, Shanice and Ted bumped into one another — literally. Her files dropped to the ground, and she sighed that everything was going wrong that day. As Ted bent down to help pick up her papers, their hands touched. They paused and looked at one another.

After they cleaned up the dropped files, Shanice and Ted got into the elevator, but seconds later, the lights flashed, and the elevator stopped. Shanice told him that the elevator was cursed. After calling maintenance, Ted and Shanice settled in and talked, getting to know one another better about things they liked and that Shanice would like to be married one day.

Ted and Shanice shared some laughs as they talked. When the elevator started, she said she had a good time but would be taking the stairs from now on. Ted watched Shanice walk away.

At the gym cafe, Eva met Izaiah and got caught up. Izaiah shared that someone helped him when he was younger and set him straight, and now he wanted to do that for someone else. Izaiah told her that he really wanted to get to know her and wanted them both to be able to let down their walls with one another. 

Eva got a call from Ted, telling her about the elevator and asking her to reschedule a consultation for her. After all, Izaiah suggested they go back to his place, but Eva had to go to work and hold down the fort for Ted. They kissed before leaving and agreed to another date.

At Orphey Gene’s, Tyrell was in a bad mood with Smitty, Samantha, and June. He and Samantha had words, but Smitty told them they were supposed to help family and not to disrespect one another. Samantha got up to help June, who was struggling to serve three large plates. 

June told Samantha that she was being run off her feet, but worried that if she didn’t keep up, she’d lose hours, which would result in losing her health care. She still had complications from when she had double pneumonia, and didn’t have healthcare for a long time when she was unhoused.

Back at the table, Smitty advised Tyrell about how to handle being upset about Jessica moving away. He suggested that Tyrell tell Jessica how he really felt, which might bring them closer together. Martin arrived and was surprised that everyone knew that Vernon was on social media.

Samantha suggested that Martin open a free clinic. She explained that June had told her about her struggles being unhoused, trying not to starve or freeze to death, and having to put healthcare on hold. Martin challenged Samantha and Tyrell to help think of ways to get around the red tape to make it happen.

When they stood to leave, Samantha asked if she could stay to help June. Smitty reminded her she was still grounded, but to call when she was ready to be picked up. After her dads and brother left, Samantha went to the payphone and called someone to come meet her at the diner.

At the casino, Vanessa came in and planted a big kiss on Joey. He was a little standoffish, noting that it isn’t great for her reputation to be with him. Vanessa assured him that she didn’t want easy; she wanted him. Vanessa paced and ranted about not caring what other people think.

Joey said that her children were still processing the loss of their father, and they would care. Joey told him she was processing Doug’s death as well, but she deserved to find some light in all the darkness. “You are my light,” she said shakily. “So you’re saying that you’re ready for your children to know we’re involved,” Joey asked. Vanessa said he made it sound like a business transaction.

Joey thought he’d spent all night proving how he felt about Vanessa. She needed him to prove it again — by being her date to Winterfest. Joey balked at the idea, noting what society would think if they showed up together. “I’m going to save you from yourself: the answer is no,” Joey told her.

Vanessa cooed that it could be fun to arrive separately and then meet up like two adults in a crowded room. Despite all of her attempts to convince him, Joey said again that they would be seen together and that was a bad thing. Vanessa slammed her drink down on the table and yelled, “I have told you over and over that I don’t care about their opinions, yet you still refuse to claim me in public. What is it, Joey? Are you ashamed to be with me?” Vanessa snapped.

Joey said they weren’t the same: she had class and belonged in crystal ballrooms and charity galas. “You are the man I want to be with,” Vanessa told him again before kissing him passionately. Joey said he felt the same way for Vanessa that she did for him, and that was why he wanted to protect her. 

Joey reminded Vanessa that they were involved in a money-laundering operation and that one wrong move would mean prison for both of them. He thought going to Winterfest together would raise every red flag. Vanessa told him that he was just making excuses and wasn’t going to change her mind. When she opened the door to leave, Vernon was standing there.

Vernon was surprised to see Vanessa there, but she told him she and Joey were business partners. “You know how passionate I am about diversifying my investments,” she said before leaving. Once alone, Joey said he didn’t know who was more protective of Vanessa: Vernon or Dani.

Vernon said he understood Joey’s motivation to try to donate to Martin’s campaign. He said he respected Joey, but asked that he stay clear of Martin’s campaign. Joey told him to consider it done. When Vernon stood to leave, Joey told him that the manner in which they conducted themselves wasn’t so different. “If you’re going ot look down on me, maybe don’t look in the mirror when you do it,” Joey told him. Vernon walked out, and Joey laughed to himself, “What a day.”

Vanessa went to the country club bar and ran into Diego. She told him that she lost her date to Winterfest, but Diego turned her down as well. Vanessa looked crushed.

 

Beyond the Gates Recap Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025