Beyond the Gates

This is fresh and new. The writing is excellent and it gives a feel of 90's soap. The cast is great and the first week bright so many questions that I need answered. This is how I know I'm hooked. Others want to bad mouth Beyond The Gates, but they are simply scared of the competition. For years African Americans have watched soaps and see very little representation. Now we have a choice and we don't have to watch a soap that doesn't respect the viewers. I want to watch a show where I can see myself and not once a week. Bravo CBS, bravo Michele Val Jean, bravo NAACP. I am do excited to see the future of this soap!!!!

Admittedly, I was apprehensive about this new Daytime Drama but, as soon as I saw the name of Tamara Tunie (who portrays Anita Dupree, a character far removed from her previous daytime role of Jessica Griffith on As The World Turns), I knew this was going to be a very classy production! And, I was right! This is a well-cast, well-written show about an affluent Black American family dynasty (No pun intended) with some of the usual trials and tribulations associated with daytime TV, and Tunie, along with Clifton Davis (That's My Mama) as the matriarch and patriarch of the wealthy and politically powerful Dupree family, makes it all the more classier! A week and a half into this, and I'm already hooked! Definitely give the show a chance!

I was a little apprehensive at first. From some of the previews that I saw, I was concerned about the quality of the acting and possible rehash of standard soap storylines. Maybe they did some reshoots because I'm not seeing the cringe factor I was anticipating. I mostly tuned in because I've always been a fan of Clifton Davis. It'll be nice to see him in an acting role on a regular basis again and I'm glad to see that this time he didn't drag Thelma along. The matriarch is played by Tamara Tunie and I vaguely remember her from "As the World Turns" but she convincingly portrays the strong matriarch of the Dupree family. I almost wish the characters would wear age badges. I can't tell who's supposed to be 25, 35 or 45. Hayley is too short to be with Bill, looks too old to be friends with Naomi and actually seems too nice to be the evil husband stealer. But it will be interesting to see how it is played out. After the first week, I am already hooked! Love that I can not miss an episode since it's streaming on Paramount.

The first episode was a bit slow in the beginning, but since the last scene of the first episode the show has been on 10 for me. The second and third episode have, for me, provided more insight into all of characters and the role that they play. I am interested in was secret Vanessa is hiding. Overall, I am pleased with the show. I can't wait to see what else exists within and Beyond The Gates.

Just a side note, I feel like Leslie may have a split personality or some type of mental illness. Also, I really wonder what Martin may have done and did that impact Leslie and Eva's lives. I can't wait to what happens.

This show has everything I had been missing in daytime soaps! Drama, excellent writing, great pacing and love in the afternoon with sexy people. I can't wait to learn more about the residents beyond and outside the gates. The first week had a bit of exposition. These are new characters so that was nice, it laid the foundation and it's a solid foundation. There are a few standout characters. We are seeing the origins of villains with much more to come. I love all of the characters so far even those I don't like, hello Bill Hamilton. That guy is a snake but every soap needs a villain like him. Will he be redeemed? I don't know but I know Dani deserves better.