Beyond the Gates Recap, July 30, 2025: The Articulettes' pre-show included question marks and passion for fashion

Here's what went down Wednesday, July 30, 2025 on Beyond the Gates when Dani got the full scoop, Nicole wanted to party poop, and Chelsea put her modern stamp on her grandmother's group.

What happened on Beyond the Gates

On Beyond the Gates, the Duprees scrolled through articles about the imminent Articulettes concert; Anita confessed she was “panic-stricken” about it. Vernon reminded Anita that she had been on stage thousands of times, but she found herself blanking on her lyrics and choreography. Besides, she said, the show seemed especially foolish next to what the family was going through. Anita was equally trepidatious because Jim Price, the agent who had masterminded the reunion, wanted a last-minute meeting before the show that night. Jim stunned Anita by requesting that she do a solo number. Vernon was ready to hear one, but Anita was adamant that the spotlight belonged to all three singers in the group.

Chelsea walked into the Dupree mansion to find Anita and was jazzed to find Tracy and Sharon there. The classic singers were happy to indulge Chelsea in doing a live feed for the influencer, as it would reach a different faction of the audience – but when their seamstress arrived with their costumes for the performance, Chelsea winced. The former model deemed the ensembles “classic,” but, since the group wanted to gain younger fans, Chelsea felt it imperative that their look reflect the update. Sharon, Tracy, and the seamstress were eager to hear Chelsea's ideas, so she did some sketches on her tablet, incorporating changes into the current outfits due to time constraints.

The ladies all loved Chelsea's revisions, but Tracy and Sharon realized they hadn't read anything by Anita. Chelsea was sure her grandmother would groove and sat the artists down for an interview – being sure to put one of her products in the frame. As Chelsea rolled, Tracy described how she'd been headlining clubs the world over since the group broke up, and Sharon spoke of the voice lessons she'd given and her gratification in leading her church choir. The women waxed lyrical about their enduring friendship, but became uncomfortable when Chelsea wanted them to talk about Anita.

Vernon and Anita came home while Sharon and Tracy expressed how they viewed Anita as a sister, remarking that Anita would always be that, even if the family sometimes drifted apart. Chelsea wanted the two to sing something by themselves, and Anita stood back while they did, applauding once they finished. Chelsea wrapped up her live feed and scooted out; Tracy and Sharon sheepishly mentioned that Anita's granddaughter had altered their attire for the night. Though it seemed Anita was opposed to the tweaks, her initial silence turned out to be a precursor to her declaration that Chelsea was a miracle worker. After praise all around, Anita thanked her co-singers for giving her the chance to make things right. Anita wished she could make amends to the departed Barbara. Sharon advocated for letting go of long-held baggage, and Tracy heralded the unveiling of The Articulettes 2.0 – “as the kids say.”

Anita agreed with Sharon that they needed to mention Barbara in every interview and make it clear to everyone that Barbara had been the original Articulette. Both Tracy and Sharon conceded that they had blamed Anita for Dante forcing Barbara out of the group, so they didn't have to take any blame themselves for letting it happen. The trio fondly remembered Barbara and together vowed they were going to make their fallen member proud during their reunion show.

Hesitantly, Anita sat Sharon and Tracy down to vote on whether or not she should do a solo, as Jim Price had entreated her to perform. She found it ironic that Jim wanted her to do the very thing that had broken up the group; she had told Jim no. But she wanted to come to her sisters in song about it, since her not having done so in the distant past had caused them all so much strife. Then, Anita put the issue up for a vote.

Naomi found Dani, who wanted to wear a dress to the concert that would imply she was suitable to model again. Dani still wondered if taking to the runway was a bad idea; Naomi responded that bad ideas had never stopped her before. Ms. Dupree laughed and felt inspired by her mother making her own comeback. Naomi's mood became somber, and she let Dani in on the fact that she knew the full story about Martin – and that knowing it could ruin her marriage. The lawyer understood why the violent intervention in the hate crime had been covered up, but couldn't grasp Bill having someone murdered. “Your father did what?” the unaware Dani yelped.

Dani sat slack-jawed as Naomi finished telling her everything, from Martin's defense of Vernon to Bill's connection to “Kenneth”'s death. At first, Dani was outraged that no one had trusted her with the truth, but she came to see the tiptoeing had been done because of Jacob's suspicions; it also became clear to Dani why Bill had been acting so strangely after Martin's aborted press conference. Naomi was relieved that Bill had been bothered to some extent and listened as Dani exhorted her not to let the knowledge come between her and Jacob, because the Hawthornes were “the last couple standing.”

Nicole sat Martin down to talk things out about his ordeal from a psychiatrist's perspective. Martin didn't know where to begin in discussing his feelings and instead shifted to his desire to save his marriage and his family. He was unsure of what to do about anything because he had let other people call the shots for so long. Nicole encouraged Martin to talk about the events of that hate crime; “I took a life that night,” Martin lamented, prompting Nicole to opine that was when Martin had lost his power. Martin remembered how Vernon had pleaded with him to stay quiet, and, in obeying, Martin had thought he'd been protecting Smitty. Yet, the congressman admitted, he had only delayed seeing the disillusionment Smitty'd had in his eyes when he did learn the truth.

Martin, who was now having nightmares about different things, wanted Nicole's advice as to how to win Smitty back. Dr. Richardson recommended baby steps and had just started walking Martin through a breathing exercise to help his sleep quality when Dani barged in, wanting to elevate her relatives “from pouting to partying.” Nicole had forgotten about Anita's show; Dani exhorted her sister and nephew to take a mental health break and allow themselves to enjoy the evening, which included the wardrobe she'd brought for them. Martin was resistant and explained to Dani that he and Nicole had been in the middle of tackling his issues about the hate crime and its aftermath. Dani felt bad.

Nicole didn't think she needed to be considerate of Anita's feelings about her not being at the show, since neither Anita nor Vernon had considered Nicole's feelings throughout keeping Martin's ordeal a secret from her. Dani recalled Nicole hadn't been petulant as a teenager and that she shouldn't start now – plus there was also the repercussion that Anita would smile and hide her hurt over her comeback being ignored. Nicole grudgingly accepted her outfit from Dani, but Martin felt his presence would bring everyone down.

Dani teased that Anita would eat Martin's liver if he didn't show up – not to mention, his grandmother was doing him the kindness of letting him stay with her and Vernon rent-free during his separation. Martin granted that there had been some “speculation” about him on political blogs; Dani perceived that being seen in public at the show would put an end to the conjecture. Nicole didn't feel up to it either, but remembered how Anita had sung at Martin's fundraising events. Dani soothingly said that Martin needed the respite. Martin's uncertainty remained.

Samantha listened as Kat outlined ways the teen could do social media videos featuring ChelseaKat's purses, but Sam couldn't hide her glum expression. Kat didn't know what her cousin could be sad about until she heard for the first time that her brother and brother-in-law had broken up. Given that her own parents' marriage had just imploded, Kat empathized with Samantha. Naomi arrived and caught up with Samantha, who suggested that the Duprees stop falling in love. Kat still thought Naomi and Jacob were relationship goals, but Naomi pointed out the others to Anita and Vernon for their marriage examples instead.

Chelsea came home and reported how she had put two of the Articulettes on her socials with the ChelseaKat logo in view – however, only Naomi was excited. Kat and Samantha attributed it to “family stuff,” but Chelsea dissipated the cloud over them by playing the video of Tracy and Sharon harmonizing. Naomi disagreed with Kat and Samantha's idea that Chelsea sample it and make it go viral, but Chelsea liked it – and started hatching a plan. Samantha was tasked with recreating a routine that the Articulettes had performed in one of their videos – while holding a ChelseaKat purse – and Chelsea told Naomi, “You know what to do.”

Tyrell was surprised to hear that Smitty was opting out of going to the Articulettes concert and picked up that it was because Martin was going to be there. Smitty couldn't get past the fight he and Martin had had, but Tyrell pushed for Smitty to realize that he needed to be there to support Anita. It hit Smitty when Tyrell reminded him that he had always spurred him and Samantha to face things – yet Smitty asserted that a show wasn't a good place for him and Martin to talk. When Tyrell suggested that Smitty treat it like a first date, where people were together but didn't talk much, Smitty frowned that Martin's family would hate him for kicking Martin out...which Tyrell labeled an excuse. Even so, Smitty couldn't go through with making an appearance.

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Later, Vernon came over, acknowledging that there were questions to be asked and conversations to be had. Smitty concurred but knew the upcoming evening was about Anita. When Vernon diplomatically said that Anita would do anything for their brood, and that it had been a trait Martin had inherited, Smitty replied, “He'd do anything for you, too, sir...evidently.” Tyrell supported Vernon's contention that, regardless of current troubles, Smitty needed to show up for the family. Vernon asked Smitty not to disappoint Anita; “Special invitation all the way from the top,” Tyrell grinned. Smitty still looked stony.

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

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