Beyond the Gates Recap | Nicole Returns to Work, Leslie Schemes & Chaos Ensues - Thursday, May 22, 2025 [SPOILERS]

In Thursday's Beyond the Gates, Nicole storms back into the hospital just in time to tag-team with Ted against Leslie, who’s out here rewriting history and creeping around in wigs. June mixes up her life with a daytime drama, Ashley and Derek try relationship rehab with separate addresses, and the Articulettes reunion gets messy real fast.

Nicole | BTG, CBS

Nicole and Ted vs. Leslie’s Madness

Nicole waltzes back into Garland Memorial like she owns the place—only to be stopped in her tracks by Ted, who’s clearly forgotten how divorces work. He wants a chat, but Nicole hits him with a firm “maybe-never,” adding a big fat RSVP of no thanks to his emotional heart-to-heart. Things get even weirder when Kat rolls up and comments on how cute they are together. Nicole promptly shuts that down with the speed of a defibrillator.

Cue Kat playing the infamous Leslie confession tape—aka the “don’t trust me, I’m shady” mixtape. Ted clocks it immediately: Leslie’s tossing Eva under the bus like it’s a competitive sport. Nicole is, predictably, thrilled to learn that her soon-to-be ex has been keeping up with Leslie behind her back. Can you smell the trust? No? That’s because it doesn’t exist.

Then Kat drops a bomb: Leslie paid Laura a little hospital visit right before that potassium spike. And just like that, the murder mystery board starts coming together. Jacob swings by to report Eva’s alibi checks out, while Leslie’s? Suspiciously blank. Not looking good for Ms. Wig-and-Bad-Vibes.

Kat the Sleuth, Leslie the Wig-Wearing Menace

Kat ignores Nicole’s advice to let the cops do their jobs (because when has that ever stopped her?) and pokes around the hospital herself. Shanice describes a nurse with serious red flags and even worse energy—and surprise! It was Leslie rocking a discount disguise. You can almost hear Kat’s sleuth senses tingling.

Leslie Can’t Take a Hint (Or a Restraining Order)

Leslie tries to patch things up with Mona, who delivers the kind of verbal slap that makes you wince from across the screen. Mona tells Leslie she’s broken, and she’s not wrong. Then Leslie accuses Nicole of choosing status over love, and Mona basically says, “Girl, bye.”

Next stop on Leslie’s “No One Wants Me” tour: Eva’s hotel room. Mama Dearest tries to bond, but Eva’s not here for it. Leslie wants to know if Ted ever mentions her, and Eva delivers a verbal sledgehammer. “He regrets you,” she says. “Like, deeply.” Leslie, unfazed (because she lives in her own delusional rom-com), still thinks there's a chance. Eva, the only one with working brain cells, points out that anyone “half sane” would know Ted hates her guts. Spoiler: Leslie is not half sane.

After Eva leaves for work, Leslie leaves a calling card—literally. Then Ted knocks on the door and who answers? Leslie. In full villain mode. Cue the collective groan from everyone watching.

Ashley and Derek Choose Separate Zip Codes for Love

Derek pops into the apartment to finish his moving out montage, but don’t worry, he still loves Ashley. He just wants marriage and babies, and he thinks Ashley’s the holdup. Ashley’s like, “Yeah, maybe,” but Andre (aka the third wheel with unsolicited advice) tells her honesty isn’t a crime. Derek and Ashley meet at Orphey Gene’s, confess they missed each other, and share a kiss… until Derek reminds her he’s not moving back in. Their “fresh start” plan? Live apart, date each other, and confuse the hell out of anyone watching. Andre walks in just in time to see the kiss and probably regrets ever giving Ashley pep talks.

An Articulettes Reunion? Cue the Drama

Tracy’s sad Vernon’s leaving (someone’s crushing), but Anita saves the day by inviting Naomi over for a little fan-girling at Dupree Manor. Everything’s cute until Anita reveals the visit was less “reminisce” and more “let’s do a reunion concert.” Tracy’s side-eye is legendary, but she softens when Anita says she wants to make things right. Vernon strolls in mid-hug and beams like he didn’t just almost cause a sister fight. Anita reminds Tracy: “No flirting with your sister’s man.” And Tracy’s like, “Uh-huh, sure.”

June (Or Jessica? Or Whoever?) Mixes Reality with Soap Plots

With her lungs finally functioning, June meets Nicole the shrink. Naomi thinks a little therapy might unlock June’s past—except June’s past seems suspiciously like a greatest hits collection from As the World Turns. She admits “June” isn’t her real name, it's Jessica Griffin and starts rambling about her ex’s ex who’s not actually dead. Nicole quickly realizes June is quoting fictional drama like it’s her autobiography. Identity crisis? Delusion? Just your average Thursday on BTG.

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