Beyond the Gates Recap for December 17, 2025: Nicole got her groove back and Leslie wanted credit for the clinic

Here's what went down Wednesday, December 17, 2025 on Beyond the Gates when Izaiah got the same message from two very different people, Leslie wondered if Marcel was one for the money, and Shanice thought that Ted's Christmas present was for the birds.

What happened on Beyond the Gates

On Beyond the Gates, Ted and Eva were able to get in a game of tennis and talk over brunch because there had been a cancellation at the clinic. When Ted lamented not knowing he'd had a little girl out there, Eva assured him that he was here now, and that Ted's work had inspired her to do something amazing. Ted was surprised that Eva had involved herself in Samantha's idea for a free clinic. Eva agreed that she wanted to be a bigger part of her new family, but demurred when Ted suggested that Eva join him at Martin's to decorate for Christmas...since Kat would likely also be there.

Eva reiterated how she had tried to make peace with Kat and shared the opinion that the holidays weren't the right time to risk clashes. Ted felt bad that his one daughter was so hostile toward the other daughter he hadn't gotten a chance to love but still made room for the possibility of Christmas miracles. Eva wondered if one such miracle would be inroads between Ted and Nicole. Ted smiled that he was hoping Nicole would be at Martin's fete.

At the hospital, Shanice noted how cheery Nicole seemed. As Nicole took joy in the holiday spirit, Carlton arrived and said it sounded like the perfect atmosphere for a date. Nicole allowed herself to be spontaneous and suggested a date right then and there. Carlton got to work arranging an indoor picnic, while Nicole asked Shanice if she thought Carlton knew that Nicole had allowed Kial to escort her to WinterFest. Was it all right to date two guys? Shanice only knew that Nicole looked happier than she had in a long time.

Ted came off the elevator just as Carlton produced a picnic basket for Nicole. Carlton and Ted exchanged pleasantries while Nicole informed the inquiring Ted that she'd be attending Dani's function instead of Martin's. After Nicole and Carlton left, Shanice saw that Ted had brought a gift for his ex-wife. Ted corrected that the present was for Shanice – a bird feeder equipped with a camera and an app. Shanice called Ted a monster, since he knew about her fear of birds, but Ted opined that Shanice might be able to come to grips with the phobia by watching birds from a safe distance. Ted offered to install it for her and joked that if he was attacked, as she predicted, the best nurse would be there to tend to him. Shanice knowingly thanked Ted for being willing to “risk his life” for her.

While Nicole liberally sprayed Febreze around her living room, Carlton unpacked a feast of caviar, gourmet turkey sandwiches, coconut rum snowballs, and fixings for campfire cones on the floor. After Carlton revealed a vintage of wine neither he nor Nicole had tried before, Nicole followed his lead and put on a song they hadn't heard of, which they danced to. “Who is this fun-loving adventuress?” Carlton beamed. “Nicole Dupree, Phase Two,” Nicole declared. Carlton decided he liked the new version, and Nicole kissed him.

Naomi met with Leslie at Orphey Gene's, where Leslie was annoyed that the lawyer was late. June had the helping Samantha take coffee to their table, since she wanted to avoid Leslie at all costs. As Leslie and Naomi discussed the formation of a free clinic, Leslie told “Nae Nae” that she did have a heart, despite the rumors, and that she wanted to give back. Naomi conceded that people were complicated but was unimpressed that Leslie wasn't willing to do any of the research or handle any of the legalities; she just wanted to gain the respect of those who looked down on her.

Samantha returned to the table; when Leslie told the teen to run along and that her coffee hadn't been hot, Samantha tried to explain that the clinic had been her idea, but Leslie waved her off, since those with the money were the ones deserving of credit. Naomi wanted Leslie to form a business plan and partner with a charity; Leslie refused, not wanting to share the spotlight. Leslie huffed when Naomi said she had a chance to do something remarkable...if she could get her ego out of the way.

June comforted Samantha after being dismissed by the rude Leslie. Samantha tried to accept that the clinic simply existing was the most important part, but she still felt slighted, since she had conceived of it and done all the research up until this point. June understood, from her time on the street, what it was like to be voiceless – and she expressed gratitude that Naomi had seen something in her, which had changed her life. To June, Samantha was like Naomi. When Samantha invited June to her fathers' holiday gathering, June tried to beg off, but Samantha smiled that all she really wanted for Christmas was to have her mother there, and June accepted.

At the station, Elon asked if Marcel's “donut bunny” had brought more pastry. Marcel suggested that Elon have lunch with his wife, Darlene, but Elon clarified that she was out with Izaiah and Jacob. Elon grumbled that he had been a bad enough parent that Izaiah had run wild in the streets, with Elon having to scramble to keep his son from being formally charged. Now Izaiah had a life, Elon went on, and what did Elon have? To Izaiah, Elon complained, he didn't even exist. Elon balked when Marcel recommended him reaching out to his estranged son and didn't want to apologize for raising Izaiah right; Marcel warned Elon not to let his pride keep him from healing his family.

Jacob and Izaiah remained at Uptown after having lunched with their mother. Izaiah had been happy to see her but preferred meeting somewhere out as opposed to the house; when Jacob suggested including their father the next time, Izaiah told his older brother that was “not happening.” Jacob reminded Izaiah that, by keeping him out of jail, Elon had made it possible for Izaiah to leave town and become a better person. Izaiah groused that Elon treated him like he hadn't changed and joked that Jacob's viewpoint had been affected by his time in couples therapy with Naomi. The brothers Hawthorne laughed at the image of Izaiah and Elon in counseling together.

Naomi joined the men but sniffed when the “inescapable” Leslie showed up to spend time with Eva. Jacob again cautioned Izaiah against seeing Eva, with Naomi supporting him, but Izaiah decided that not all kids were bad just because their parents were sketchy. Izaiah visited Eva, who gently teased him about having fallen on the ice at WinterFest; then their discussion turned to the holidays. When Izaiah spat that any time spent with his family over Christmas would be miserable, Eva pitched to him that he could either keep himself stuck in what could have been or make the decision to start something new. Izaiah returned to his brother and sister-in-law, with Jacob not liking him hanging around “the daughter of the accused.”

Later, Leslie snorted to Eva about the probability of having to share credit for the clinic with a charitable organization – especially if it was one run by the Duprees. Eva heard about how Leslie had been snide toward Samantha; Eva reminded her mom that the clinic had been Samantha's idea, but Leslie said that didn't matter, since she would be the one paying for it. After Eva sighed over not being able to accept Ted's invitation to Martin's tree decorating because of Kat, mother and daughter got on the subject of their tradition of watching Christmas rom-coms and made plans to do so.

After Eva left, Leslie was approached by Marcel, who grinned at what a coincidence it was for them to meet again. Was it a coincidence, Leslie asked? She challenged Marcel to tell her whether he actually liked her, or if he was being paid to hover around her like he had been paid to monitor her at WinterFest.

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Izaiah went to see Elon, receiving an icy reception. However, the men made stoic progress, with Izaiah admitting that it would mean a lot to Darlene if he came by the house for Christmas. Elon wanted to know if Izaiah was better at keeping his word than he had been, since he didn't want to see Darlene disappointed. Izaiah took his father's meaning and said he was improving in that area. The Hawthornes seemed to arrive at an unspoken truce.

Beyond the Gates airs weekdays on CBS and streams on Paramount Plus.

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