Beyond the Gates Recap Jan 22: Dani kisses Bill, Hayley compromises Randy
In the Beyond the Gates recap for Thursday, January 22, 2026, Dani and Bill get caught kissing, Smitty won’t take no for an answer, Kat is suspicious, and Hayley gives Randy a deadly ultimatum.
Beyond the Gates Recap
At the country club, Smitty met Jacob at the bar and told him that he wanted in on his case. Jacob said Smitty gave him a tip, but he wanted to protect him from being involved further.
Smitty said that he could save Jacob time as he had connections, and they worked well together. “I’m sorry, Smitty. The answer is no,” Jacob said.
Jacob noted Smitty’s role in the family and said he couldn’t put him at risk. Smitty told Jacob he didn’t need his permission or approval, and he was going to continue investigating the case anyway.
Smitty said he didn’t build his career by taking no for an answer. “Why start now?” he asked. Jacob said he couldn’t risk Smitty making things public until he built his case.
Jacob relented when Smitty promised he wouldn’t break his story without Jacob’s approval. They shook on it as Kat and Chelsea walked in. They questioned their in-laws but didn’t buy their story.
Smitty and Jacob faked their way through a clumsy bro-shake, and then claimed they were just talking post-workout at the gym. After they made a quick exit, Kat drank from a glass and knew they were having vodka. “After a workout?” she added doubtfully.
Across the room, Nicole and Carlton made nice with Shanice and Ted, who was anxious to get his date started. He complimented Shanice and said he and his beautiful lady would enjoy their evening.
Nicole watched them walk away, then turned to Carlton and said the best thing about going out for dinner was wondering what they’d get for dessert.
Carlton and Nicole sat at the table next to Ted and Shanice, who were caught up in their own evening. Both couples seemed to be doing their own flirting, but Nicole noticed Shed holding hands. She invited Carlton back to her place, and Ted watched them leave.
Shanice wondered whether they made them uncomfortable, but Ted didn’t care. He suggested they leave as well.
In the club lobby, Chelsea told Kat about popping a pill in front of Madison. Chelsea said she was later triggered by Madison’s grilling, all judgmental, which reminded her of her mother.
While Kat was in the restroom, Chelsea saw Ted and Shanice leave together. She told Kat when she returned. “In the same room as my mother? Ugh,” Kat sighed.
Chelsea told Kat that falling in love with Madison, she lost sight of being her authentic self. Kat was distracted as she’d noticed Smitty and Jacob at the bar and thought they were up to something.
Lynette and Hayley met at Orphey Gene’s, and couldn’t figure out how to pay her $17,000 bill. Hayley didn’t want to help at first, but Lynette hinted she could find a way to get the money.
Hayley relented and said she could try to convince Bill to take her case pro bono. After Lynette thanked her and left, Hayley didn’t look like she thought it would be an easy ask.
Vanessa was waiting at the diner counter when Lance came in and blasted her in person for having his wife as a client at Heart Attach. He said he’d warned her and now she’d find out how serious he was.
Vanessa tried to blow him off, but he wasn’t having it. He angrily ordered that when his wife tried to book another escort, Vanessa was to turn her down.
“I’ll do no such thing,” Vanessa said staunchly. As they argued, Lance grabbed her wrist and told her he was going to make her listen to him. Hayley watched but looked amused.
Just then, Randy walked in and told him where he was from a man who forgets his manners regrets it fast. Lance stormed out, and Randy checked that Vanessa was okay. She said he’d hurt his pride.
Randy and Vanessa talked about missing Doug before she left. Behind Randy, Tomas walked in and went to Hayley’s table.
Tomas lamented that Bill had laid into him about working too hard, and didn’t know what to do. Hayley saw Randy on the phone by the counter and told Tomas that Bill was just testing him and suggested he go back to the office.
Meanwhile, Randy was on the phone with Joey, telling him about Lance. He offered to pay him a visit, but Joey said it was personal, and he’d deal with him himself.
Randy joined Hayley, and she told him how Lynette spooked her into offering to take care of her bill. Randy said she did the right thing because she had to keep Lynette quiet. Hayley and Randy started arguing about how he wasn’t doing enough to kill Bill.
Hayley was impatient, but Randy told her to follow the poison instructions and wait. Hayley told Randy that if his tea didn’t put Bill in the ground soon, he would have to.
Elon went to see Joey and asked him if he was involved in the plasma ring. He assured him he wasn’t, but Elon was worried about Jacob being on the case.
Joey told him what he knew: the ring was run by a guy named The Impaler, and he told him to warn Jacob what he was dealing with, because from what he’d heard, the guy was not to be messed with.
At the law office, Tomas gave Bill an update on files and reminded him that he wanted to be made a partner. Bill told him to have patience, but he wasn’t ready.
When Tomas walked out, Dani walked in with bags of his favorite Cuban food and said she wanted to continue their celebration of their father’s good health.
Bill and Dani sat down and talked about the cancer crisis. He encouraged her to be strong and said he was sure she’d beat it if it ever came to that.
Dani said she knew it sounded shallow, but her looks were part of who she was, and having cancer would change that. She worried that Andre wouldn’t want her if she lost her beauty when fighting cancer.
Bill said he might not be fond of “the boy,” but he didn’t think Andre was the kind of snake who would leave his wife when she had cancer.
Dani agreed, but said he would pity her. She said their connection was always physical, and she didn’t have anything else to offer.
Bill told her she was wrong and said she’d be the most captivated woman in the room, even with a shaved head. He said no man would ever dim that light.
On the couch, Hayley moved to Bill and began kissing him. After a make-out session, Dani jumped up and said they shouldn’t have done that. She said Hayley could never find out.
Bill agreed, but noticed someone in the hallway, watching. Tomas quickly walked away.
At home, Nicole told Carlton she hadn’t been with anyone since Ted. He offered to leave, but she said she needed to be satisfied, and they began kissing. At Ted’s place, Shanice noted that the TV wasn’t turned on, but she was. She and Ted undressed and made love, too.
When Vanessa came to the casino, Joey saw the marks on her wrist and wanted to know who did it. Vanessa knew instantly that Randy reported it.
Vanessa said she was surprised Lance showed up. Joey was more surprised that Vanessa lied to him about it, but she said she’d had it handled.
Joey made it clear that Vanessa shouldn’t have had to handle it at all. “That’s exactly why I didn’t want you involved in any of my businesses!” Joey snapped.
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