I’ll use this column as an example. As I mentioned in my Best<\/strong><\/a> and Worst<\/strong><\/a> of Beyond the Gates<\/em> columns (check out the links to read those columns), I chose to venture back into soapy journalism when Beyond the Gates<\/em> launched. I didn’t like how the show was being covered by the soap press, so I decided to come out of my short-lived retirement and give the show the attention that I felt it deserved. What’s that expression? Something like, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I love Beyond the Gates<\/em>, so writing about it is fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspiration for the columns usually comes from the show itself. This week when Caroline said, “Plans get made, life happens, [and] we adjust,” that was all the inspiration I needed. I realized that what Caroline was saying was really just a very polite way of saying, “poo happens.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I thought about it more, I realized that everything we’ve been seeing on-screen lately on Beyond the Gates <\/em>has to do with how characters are adjusting to life life-ing. Or in the case of one wig-wearing, anniversary party-crashing, panty-planting, nouvelle riche<\/em> resident of Fairmont Crest, how they have not<\/em> adjusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ted and Nicole are adjusting to their lives as single people. Anita has had to adjust her life following a cancer diagnosis. Jessica has had to adjust her way of thinking about the debutante ball. Derek is adjusting to a life where he won’t be a firefighter, the only job he ever wanted to have. Jacob is attempting to adjust to working as an undercover agent. And Hayley is finding that she has to readjust her plans to murder her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve decided that we all need to get in on the fun. So I am offering some of my predictions about what I think might, could, or should happen in all of the storylines I talk about in this week’s column. If you want to join me, you can share your predictions in the Comments box below the column or on any of my social media feeds (Bluesky<\/strong><\/a>, Instagram<\/strong><\/a>, Threads<\/strong><\/a>, Facebook<\/strong><\/a>, and TwitterX<\/strong><\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like Jessica, I will admit that I am suffering from a little bit of cotillion fatigue. I am thankful that the storyline was created because it\u2019s been a teaching moment, but I need this ball to hurry up and get here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am assuming that this big social gathering is going to provide the month\u2019s big dramatic moments. You can\u2019t have a big gathering on a soap opera without some<\/em> drama. The stage has sort of been set for at least a little tension with Anastasia claiming that her granddaughter will beat \u201clittle orphan Samantha\u201d for the platinum deb crown or tiara or whatever they get for winning. I am also worried that Anita might suffer some sort of medical emergency during the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of folks on social media have been clamoring for a new family to swoop in and serve as rivals for the Duprees. The rationale for that, it seems, is that every soap has had wealthy families squaring off, be it the Chandlers versus the Cortlandts, the Newmans versus the Abbotts, or the Hatfields versus the McCoys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another argument for a new family has been the LSD overdose \u2013 that\u2019s Leslie, Sherry, Dana for new readers. Yes, Leslie now has enough money of her own to face off with the Duprees, but\u2026 been there, done that. I think it has been wise to put Leslie in other people\u2019s orbits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s be honest, for as beloved and trailblazing as the Dupree family has been, there have to be at least a few people in Fairmont Crest who, for one reason or another, don\u2019t like the Duprees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, it seems that Anastasia Belleclaire has stepped up to the plate to be the first to express their displeasure with the Dupree family. Maybe it’s more jealousy than displeasure, but whatever the reason, Anastasia is the first to really speak up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we first met Anastasia, it seemed like she was there as a member of the Real Housewives of Fairmont Crest\u2026 someone who flitted in and out after making some sort of snarky observation. Based on how Anastasia has become more prevalent in story, she\u2019s going for more than simply \u201cfriend of a housewife\u201d status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know how long the Anita versus Anastasia phase will last, but it\u2019s already had some great moments. Does Anastasia have staying power? I don\u2019t think she gives main character energy, but there is potential for her to stick around as a thorn in Anita\u2019s side, especially if Samantha wins platinum deb. That\u2019s the kind of thing that will set Anastasia on a path to do whatever she can to steal the Dupree family\u2019s joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, if Francesca \u2013 pardon me, Chessie<\/em> — is named America\u2019s Next Top Debutante, I can see Anastasia\u2019s usefulness waning a bit. She\u2019ll get the win she wants, perhaps peacock around for a bit, and then head back into obscurity. Or the victory could inspire Anastasia to seek out more wins at the Duprees\u2019 expense. We\u2019re gonna have to keep an eye on this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If I had to make a prediction right now<\/em><\/strong>, I\u2019d say that Jessica is going to end up winning the platinum deb title. Why? Because she doesn\u2019t want it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been interesting to see the reaction to Nicole\u2019s new chapter of dating. There seems to be an even split between fans who want to see Nicole and Carlton as a couple and those who want to see Nicole and Kial give it a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What I wasn\u2019t expecting to see was the level of judging that\u2019s going on. Nicole has been in a committed, monogamous relationship for possibly as long as three decades. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything unusual about her wanting to explore her sexuality and the options that are out there. Her job title and pedigree have absolutely no bearing on that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I haven\u2019t decided yet who I\u2019m rooting for as both Carlton and Kial have their pluses and minuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I will start with Carlton because his name comes first alphabetically and my spell checker doesn\u2019t freak out when I type his name. Carlton and Nicole have a history. They\u2019ve known each other for years and their connection is strong. I truly believe that Carlton wants to be the man in Nicole\u2019s life and he\u2019s shown that with his strong flirt game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The negative to all of that is the undeniable ick factor of having a man lying in wait for 20 years with the hopes that one day your marriage fails so that he gets a chance to shoot his shot. Also, I am not sure that Carlton is on the same page as Nicole in terms of not wanting a relationship right away. He claimed to be okay with seeing Nicole out on a date with Kial, but he gives me \u201cwe had sex and now you\u2019re mine<\/em>\u201d vibes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I saw everything I needed to know about Carlton in his post-seeing-Nicole-kissing-Kial snit at the hospital. I get it. He wasn\u2019t thrilled to see Nicole with another man, but Nicole has made it quite clear that she\u2019s not ready to be exclusive to any one man. Plus, Carlton was already aware that Kial was in the picture. That\u2019s no excuse to be rude to other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for Kial, aside from the fact that the way he spells his name drives me nuts, he\u2019s diametrically opposite to Carlton. I do not doubt for a minute that Kial is fine with having a no-strings relationship with Nicole. Whereas Carlton exudes swag, Kial has such a cool, laid-back attitude. He also seems to be a less possessive and territorial than Carlton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I suppose the negative would be that Kial might be a little too <\/em>laid back. Despite not wanting a relationship right now, I suspect that Nicole will <\/em>want one at some point. I am not sure if Kial is at that point yet. The death of his wife is still relatively fresh and I can fully understand why he might not want to start something new. Plus, he\u2019s been living here and there since his wife\u2019s passing and he might not want to call one place home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If I had to make a prediction<\/em><\/strong>, I\u2019d say that it\u2019s only a matter of time before Nicole ends up with both men in bed with her at the same time. I mean, it will probably be some sort of naughty dream, but I can see Beyond the Gates <\/em>pushing the envelope a bit and going there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But I do see Nicole realizing that she’s actually in love with another character on the canvas:<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou’re The Inspiration<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The Claws Are Coming Out At The Coming Out Party<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
America’s Next Top Debutante<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Torn Between Two Lovers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Carlton Banks on The Past<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/danjkroll.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTG_230_SG_0002b-1920x1080.jpg\")
Beyond The Gates | Photo: CBS \u00a92026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nKial, Rhymes With Dial<\/h5>\n\n\n\n