3 BIG Beyond the Gates Takeaways, February 24, 2025

On the premiere episode of Beyond the Gates, viewers were introduced to the extended Dupree family, friends…and enemies.

Beyond the Gates highlights

The Dupree family comes with a reputation: they rule the gated community of Fairmont Crest, and if you cross one, you cross them all. A case in point is Dani Dupree, who gave up her modeling career to marry Bill Hamilton. He was seemingly content as a military man until they married, and he got a leg up by being part of the Dupree family to build a law practice. Bill ended up cheating on Dani with his daughter’s best friend and now plans to marry her at the country club they all belong to and move to Fairmont Crest. Dani feels the hits and humiliation just won’t stop and hit her breaking point when she found out they had bought a house in the neighborhood. Seeing Hayley at the club planning her wedding, Dani told her off and gave her a slap that was heard around the world.

Whether or not they agreed with Dani’s public display of temper, every Dupree family member who was at the club took a moment to silently give Hayley a disapproving or knowing look before exiting.

The nurse and the fireman

Ashley Morgan is a friend of Naomi Dupree, who is Bill and Dani’s eldest daughter. Ashley has been studying for years to become a nurse and just had her first day of her new career at the hospital.

Ashley’s boyfriend, Derek Baldwin, is a dedicated firefighter who loves her wholeheartedly. He has patiently supported her and her career goals and on her first day as a nurse at the hospital, he got up to make her breakfast and drive her to work. We learned that the couple has been together for two years, and he wants a lifetime with her.

Orphey Gene’s is the place to be

Vernon Dupree is recognized wherever he goes, not only as a retired senator or as the patriarch of the Dupree family but as a former leader in civil rights. By the sounds of it, Anita and Vernon met at a march on Washington in the 70s. While at the diner, a patron approached Vernon and called him one of her heroes. She also noted that Anita was someone else she looked up to, as the band she had been in was inspirational and living proof that a young girl could make it out of the projects.

Watch Beyond the Gates weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.