Beyond the Gates Recap, July 15, 2025: “Kenneth” appeared to reach the “find out” part of his plan

Here's what went down Tuesday, July 15, 2025 on Beyond the Gates when Dani heard the call to battle ageism, June got a family member, and Martin's press conference came to a shocking end.

What happened on Beyond the Gates

On Beyond the Gates, Dani unenthusiastically scrolled through photos of potential models on her tablet. Vanessa found her and got Dani to perk up a bit by greeting her as “Dani Long Legs” (Dani finally replied with a “Vandonna!”). The realtor had found some potential locations for Dani's agency, including one on D.C.'s U Street, which Dani recalled was referred to as Black Broadway, where many famous trailblazers had made their homes. Dani was concerned that if her proposed return to modeling tanked, it would reflect poorly on the legacy she had already earned for herself. Vanessa assured Dani that her legacy was secure, but encouraged her to be a voice against those who declared it was no longer appropriate for women to work the runway after a certain age. Dani couldn't deny Vanessa's point, but still seemed doubtful after Vanessa left for an appointment.

Smitty went to the park and found “Kenneth,” demanding to know what the man had been doing around his kids. “Shouldn't you be asking your husband that question?” “Kenneth” volleyed. Smitty offered to get a message to Martin; “Kenneth” said he wanted his money that evening. “Kenneth” informed Smitty that Martin was the villain in the situation, not the hero.

Samantha filled Tyrell in on how Martin had punched “Kenneth.” Tyrell was surprised to hear that “Kenneth” had known Martin before and had insinuated himself into their family on purpose. Sam told a confused Tyrell that “Kenneth” was considered a threat; Tyrell confirmed that there was an unmarked police car parked outside their building. The teens worried about Smitty having dared Martin not to come home if he left without explaining why the family was in danger. They tried to figure out what “Kenneth” would have against their father – was he a fired staffer, an ex-boyfriend?

When Smitty returned, Samantha became emotional and apologized for not listening to Martin about “Kenneth,” but Smitty was clear that nothing was the girl's fault, nor Tyrell's. Mr. Smith felt they had all been in the dark because Martin hadn't shared anything with them. Samantha wanted Smitty to let Martin come home so they could all decide how to proceed together. Smitty hoped to work things out with Martin as well, but deemed his husband's continual secrecy and his having allowed someone dangerous into their lives without explanation unacceptable. He hugged his kids as he comfortingly told them Martin would have plenty of places to stay if it came to it, and that somehow everything would work out.

Naomi entered her bedroom and discovered a preoccupied Jacob, who barely listened as she described how June's condition was improving after her beating, and how a social worker was going to try to get June off the streets. Jacob finally acknowledged his wife and expressed that her cousin Martin might be in way over his head. Naomi took in Jacob's details about how “Kenneth” had made a move on Martin's kids, how Martin wouldn't tell Smitty anything about “Kenneth,” and how Martin had asked Marcel, of all people, for police protection. Naomi thought it odd that Martin had also been pressuring Smitty to abandon his story on Marcel, a man whom Naomi had sensed Martin was afraid of.

The Hawthornes continued talking about Martin's situation, then segued into June's, with Naomi detailing how she had been hung up on when she'd called the barely visible phone number on June's photo. Jacob entreated Naomi to make a new attempt, but she got a click as she tried to explain herself to the person on the other line. With Jacob's backing, the affronted Naomi called back, this time being told by a woman, “Don't call here; my sister is dead to me.”

Joey and Marcel played cards at the casino, but Marcel couldn't concentrate as he waited for a piece of news. His phone beeped, and Marcel informed Joey, “They got him.” Bill joined the men and alerted them that Martin was so freaked out that he wanted to handle things from there. Joey understood that time was of the essence, and Marcel headed out to apprehend “Kenneth.”

Martin had Orphey Gene's shut down to hold a press conference without his staff, which gathering reporters deemed unusual. Vernon arrived and tried to talk Martin out of doing something “rash and emotional,” but Martin felt he could negate “Kenneth's" ammunition by publicly coming clean about what had happened between them. Vernon warned that Martin would be destroying his life by doing so. Martin disagreed, as he had been fighting back during a hate crime, which Vernon had been there to witness. Vernon was firm that the fact they hadn't reported the incident would be enough to derail Martin's political career, but Martin didn't care anymore. He was hellbent on keeping Tyrell and Samantha safe.

Vernon insisted that they could simply pay “Kenneth” off, but Martin no longer felt that would work, and the congressman reeled to learn that Joey had been involved in the first botched payoff. Both he and Vernon regretted Joey's part in things. Even Vernon's suggestion of removing Joey from the equation wasn't enough to deter Martin from his confession. Vernon was hurt when Martin said he didn't trust anyone anymore; Martin replied that only he could undo the damage of his actions. Vernon begged Martin to delay the presser for a couple of days so he could find another way of defusing the situation. Martin didn't like that Joey, already having been a part of it for two years, made the family indebted to him and was ready to take responsibility for himself and what he had done.

After Bill and Joey found out about the press conference, Joey showed up to the diner uninvited, wanting to be sure his name was kept out of things. Vernon snarked that no one in his family wanted to advertise an association with the casino owner and blamed Joey for not stopping “Kenneth” as he had been instructed to do. Joey smirked that good help was hard to find and reported to the Dupree patriarch that another attempt was being made at that moment. Vanessa entered the diner and spotted Joey, whom Vernon was shocked to learn Vanessa had any kind of connection to. Moving on to Joey, Vanessa wanted to know what the press conference was about and why Joey had invited her to it. Joey grinned that he wasn't going to say because he was enjoying watching Vanessa put the pieces together herself. Vanessa realized that Joey needed her to be his alibi. “Shhh...” he said quietly.

Bill arrived; while he could empathize with Martin acting as a father, Mr. Hamilton conveyed to Vernon that a lot of people had put themselves on the line to protect Martin, so he decided to try to talk to Martin himself. Martin saw Bill and was tired of people telling him how to tackle his problems. Bill was at odds with Martin about his going public, but opted to stand by him – after all, Martin was going to need a good defense attorney once the truth was out. As Bill moved to introduce Martin, Vernon was appalled that Bill was helping Martin to go ahead with his plan...but Hamilton assured Dupree that he was simply stalling.

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Vernon watched Bill go into a long-winded diatribe about Martin's childhood and career – then saw “Kenneth” outside the diner with Marcel's gun to his belly. Martin noticed that Bill was grandstanding and subtly edged him away from the podium, addressing those assembled himself. While Martin was building up to his confession, Bill received a text from Marcel, which included a photo of a dead “Kenneth.” Bill silently showed Martin his phone; when Martin went quiet and nearly stumbled away from the dais, Bill apprised the press that there had been a family emergency and that the conference was concluded. “It's over,” Bill whispered to Martin as the reporters exchanged astonished mumbles and Vernon breathed a sigh of relief.

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

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