Beyond the Gates Recap for December 8, 2025: WinterFest was on and Dr. Kial Rollins came on duty

Here's what went down Monday, December 8, 2025 on Beyond the Gates when Vernon held off rocking Anita's world, Vanessa's pout became fermented, and various folks from inside and outside the gates of Fairmont Crest encountered each other during WinterFest.

What happened on Beyond the Gates

On Beyond the Gates, Kat reacted to Tomás's suggestion that they live together with surprise. She was into Tomás, she said, but they hadn't been together long; she'd honestly thought he was joking when he mentioned cohabitating. Tomás admitted he was disappointed but generally took the refusal in stride – though he didn't give Kat an answer when she wanted to know what the rush was in their moving in. With Kat not wanting to go to WinterFest, Tomás left Uptown to head over alone, since he viewed the gala as an opportunity to network.

At the country club, Vanessa had seated herself next to the piano player. Nicole could see that Vanessa was feeling down; Vanessa had been hoping that Joey would be in attendance. When Nicole offered for Vanessa to join her, Vanessa didn't want to be a third wheel – as Nicole was the date of Dr. Kial Rollins, with whom Shanice had fixed her up. Nicole bristled upon hearing that Vanessa and Joey were in a relationship, prompting Vanessa to spout that anyone's disapproval was on them.

Nicole wanted to know more about Kial, who revealed that he was an orthopedic surgeon with two kids. The psychiatrist requested more info than she could find on a Google search, so Kial added that, despite his occupation, he had never broken a bone – and that he had a keen sense of observation.

Back at Uptown, Joey took a call from an emotional Vanessa, who was upset that Joey hadn't shown up to WinterFest. Joey maintained that his appearance would only serve to erode Vanessa's reputation, but she became teary and hung up on him. Then, Kat saw Joey and thanked him for providing the information that helped her and her family locate Chelsea when Allison had taken her hostage. Joey asked into Chelsea's condition, and Kat felt that her cousin was basically back to normal.

Leslie greeted Jan and Ashley as they arrived; Ashley was already looking uncomfortable by the time Andre came in with Dani. Seeing Ashley, Andre told Dani that he'd had no idea that Ashley would be a guest. Later, Dani took Ashley aside for a talk she called overdue; Ashley realized that Andre had told Dani about her attempt to get something going with him after she'd broken up with Derek, confessing that she hadn't thought Andre's marriage to Dani had been solid or serious. However, Ashley said, Andre had made it clear that he was in love with Dani, and Ashley promised to respect that. Dani noticed that Ashley was apprehensive; Ashley remarked that Dani had pulled a gun in that very building.

Naomi was surprised to see Hayley at WinterFest, as she knew Hayley had no friends there. Hayley chirped that she wasn't viewed as a homewrecker anymore since Dani had moved on with Andre. After Naomi said no one would forget how Hayley had used their friendship to steal her father away from her mother, Hayley privately griped to herself that she was “so done with that family.”

A sullen Bill saw Dani with Andre and approached them, using the excuse that he had done a soundcheck for the auction he and Dani would be running. After Andre led Dani away, Hayley could see that Bill was in a mood.

Eva told Izaiah about the attractions WinterFest had to offer, but the only thing Izaiah was interested in was Eva herself. Izaiah was amazed to hear that Articulette founder Barbara Mitchell was Eva's grandmother; Eva spoke of all the event's proceeds going toward mental health services for musicians and was moved that something positive had come out of Barbara's tragic life. Ted joined Eva and was wary of Izaiah; later, Izaiah reintroduced Eva to his brother Jacob, who announced that anything Eva said could still be used against her. The younger Hawthorne insisted that the older Hawthorne was joking, but Eva wasn't so sure.

Later, Hayley saw Izaiah and scornfully warned him never to marry into a political family. Mrs. Hamilton hadn't expected to see Izaiah at the gala and asked what had brought him there – then Eva drew near and offered to take him skating. Izaiah introduced Eva to Hayley; Eva said she had heard a lot about Hayley, and, once alone, Hayley took a big gulp of wine in frustration.

Ted alerted Eva to the fact that one of WinterFest's prizes was a walk-on role “on that new soap.” Eva smiled that the prize of finally being able to spend time with her father was enough for her. After Izaiah had fallen on the ice, Eva brought him back into the club, where they laughed about his mishap; Leslie crowed to Jacob that perhaps a criminal like her would end up being his brother's mother-in-law. Then, seeing Tomás, Leslie sneered that he had chosen the wrong sister.

Laura was jittery knowing that she and Leslie were in the same building. Naomi offered to put a protective order in place for Laura if Leslie kept harassing her. Mona giggled to Laura that the Black Santa had given her his phone number, but soon Leslie ordered Laura to make sure there was more room for the donated toys. Laura stiffly said she worked for the Duprees, not her, but Leslie felt her being a sponsor of the event gave her authority. Marcel moved in and broke up the conversation; Leslie took note that Marcel had been hovering over her most of the evening. “The way you look?” the detective leered.

Dani expressed to Nicole how happy she was compared to the previous year's WinterFest, when she had had to put on a phony smile following Bill's desertion of her. Nicole conceded that she had been wrong about Dani's relationship with Andre – Dani truly seemed buoyant, Nicole decided, and was glad her suspicions about her sister and Andre using each other had turned out to be unfounded.

As Nicole and Kial enjoyed their time together, Ted interrupted; Kial told Ted he was glad to see him again. Kial explained to Nicole that he and Ted had met once at a conference in Denver. Ted smirked when he learned that he had won an auction item that Kial had been enthusiastically bidding on. Seeing that Vanessa was heavily intoxicated, Ted and Eva offered to take her home. Vanessa cried to Eva that girls needed their daddies and complained that Leslie was allowed to move about in polite society while she... Marcel surreptitiously reminded Vanessa that Joey had been smart to ensure the couple wasn't seen together in public; Vanessa stuck her tongue out at Leslie as she was escorted away by Ted. Marcel texted Joey a photo of Vanessa posing with Ted.

Tracy wondered where Sharon had disappeared to; Sharon would only say it took longer to do up makeup than in her younger days. Sharon and Vernon stole glances at each other, then Vernon told Anita how much he admired her for taking her grief and guilt about Barbara and transforming it into a force for healing. Anita lovingly called Vernon her rock.

Leslie happened upon Sharon and Vernon talking privately; hiding, Ms. Thomas overheard the senator telling Sharon that he couldn't do “it” now because it would be cruel to ruin Anita's evening. Afterwards, Leslie crowed to Marcel that there was a scandal brewing – though she was sure it was small potatoes next to the stories detective Marcel could tell. Then, Leslie sauntered up to Vernon and let him know he would at least have her in his corner once things hit the fan. Vernon said he had “no earthly idea” what Leslie was talking about, grumbling to himself, “Lord give me strength.”

Bill and Dani emerged from the auction having completed their turns as emcee and auctioneer, respectively. The lawyer marveled that working together had felt like old times, but Dani was of the opinion that things between them were actually easier. In past years, Dani had always had to worry about Bill flirting with other women and wondering if he was sleeping with them. Dani confessed to Bill that she wasn't even angry about their divorce anymore, then ran to Andre and greeted him with a kiss. Bill was ready to leave – but not before demanding that Andre “treat that woman right.” Andre scoffed that some men didn't need to be reminded to do so.

Anita ran across singer Keke Wyatt, who had just arrived; Keke was very much in favor of the cause of providing mental health services to musicians. After Anita had a brainstorm that Keke could do more than simply show support, Keke took the mic and serenaded WinterFest guests with her rendition of “Silent Night.”

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Eva was surprised when Leslie announced that she was leaving with Marcel. Meanwhile, Kial had taken Nicole home, and Nicole had invited him in; as they talked about the evening, Kial declared that he had expected Nicole to be glam, but her command of the room had surprised him. In fact, Kial had found Nicole's confidence sexy. He held Nicole's hand and kissed it, simply asking in reference to a possible second date, “Again?” “Maybe,” Nicole smiled as Kial excused himself and bid her goodnight.

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

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