Beyond the Gates Review: WinterFest Rewind – Keke Sings, Greg Debuts, and Anita Schemes

On Beyond the Gates, we get the chance to see Winterfest one more time and get another look at all the power moves, grooves, and sloppy “Betty Boo’s.” Strap in and let’s go.

If you were hoping for fresh drama in Fairmont Crest this holiday week, you might have been disappointed to see "Repeat" on your DVR guide. But let’s be real—if we had to relive any moments from the fledgling first season of Beyond the Gates, the WinterFest saga was the correct choice. The Powers That Be (TPTB) gifted us a re-watch of the opulent two-parter that originally aired earlier this month. Frankly, I needed a second look to fully appreciate the budget-busting cameos and the seeds of destruction planted amidst the fake snow.

Beyond the Gates hits rewind

The Glitz, The Glam, and The Vocals First, can we talk about the star power? "Today’s" repeat (Episode 185) featured the one and only Keke Wyatt belting out a holiday classic. In a genre where "special musical guest" often means a fictional pop star lip-syncing badly, Beyond the Gates flexed its CBS muscle. Keke’s performance wasn’t just filler; it grounded the event in a sense of reality and high-stakes society. It was the perfect backdrop for Nicole’s jaw to hit the floor when her blind date arrived.

McDreamy

Enter Dr. McDreamy (No, the Other One). Speaking of Nicole, the arrival of Greg Vaughan as Dr. Kial Robbins is the holiday gift that keeps on giving. Vaughan, a veteran of the soap trenches (General Hospital, Days), brings an immediate gravitas (and let’s be honest, prettiness) that Nicole desperately needs. Their chemistry in these repeat episodes was instantaneous. While her ex is busy with his daughter, Kial offers a mature, steamy alternative. Is Nicole about to enter her Player Era? One can only hope.

Anita Dupree: Matriarch or Mean Girl? The "Yesterday" repeat (Episode 184) reminded us that Anita Dupree plays chess while everyone else is playing checkers. Hiring Marcel to "babysit" Leslie at the gala? That is a level of petty that I aspire to. It was calculated, cold, and absolutely hilarious. However, it also highlights the growing cracks in Anita’s armor. We know (from the current timeline) that her health secret is weighing on her, and this control-freak behavior at WinterFest was clearly a deflection. Watching it back, you see the fear behind the frostiness.

Drunk girl

Vanessa’s sloppy spiral. Alas, poor Vanessa. Watching her drunkenly stumble through the gala again was painful, yet strangely satisfying. Her slur-filled read of Leslie was the moment of the night. It’s a classic soap trope—the drunk lady at the fancy party—, but it served a purpose. It isolated Vanessa further, pushing her toward rock bottom, and set the stage for the Joey drama that has since transpired.

Trending

The Takeaway: While some fans bemoan repeats, this look back at WinterFest was crucial. It wasn't just a party; it was the calm before the storm. It established Eva’s place in the family, cemented the "Vernon’s Secret" threat, and gave us the glittery spectacle we crave from a wealthy Black soap dynasty. If this is how Beyond the Gates does the holidays, I’m already RSVPing for next year.

Watch full episodes of Beyond the Gates weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback