Dani's parents have a tense sit-down with her and Andre. Nicole is caught off guard by a romantic gesture. Naomi fears she and Jacob may have hit a tipping point in their marriage. Hayley enacts a new plan to get what her heart truly desires. After an encounter with Leslie, Nicole delivers an apology to Anita. Sparks fly when Eva meets a handsome newcomer. Kat is consumed with guilt after a passionate night with Tomas leaves him in a great deal of pain. Joey has a twisted yet interesting proposition for one of the Duprees.
Episode 1.154
Nicole has forgiven Ted but doesn't want to rekindle their marriage. That chapter of her life is over. She loves him. She will always feel that way. She let her guard down after Martin and Smitty's vow renewal. She leaned on Ted once more. She would have slept with him if Leslie hadn't pulled the fire alarm. She views that as a sign that she was about to make a mistake. So many people express their desire for Nicole and Ted to reunite. Mona and Laura are the ones championing it now. Ultimately, it's Nicole's decision. She has clarity. Ted felt uplifted. He finally had hope. Nicole crushes that all over again. She lets him down face-to-face at Orphey Gene's. She understands why he feels differently. It's poignant to hear him finally accept accountability for his actions. Eva hears that confession. He no longer blames Leslie for ruining his marriage. He was solely responsible. That realization comes too late. He didn't know how to fight to save his marriage. That effort was necessary. It could have happened. Nicole walks away for good. She does so not even knowing the full extent of Leslie's meddling. She doesn't need that. Leslie feels entitled to take more. She's never satisfied. That's her tragic role. Eva calls her out repeatedly. Nothing is ever enough. That will be her grand undoing.
Dani and Andre continually have to justify their marriage. It's exhausting. They have to explain themselves to people who just don't get it. They face numerous questions. It's a decision they each had to make. They are influenced by outside forces. They commit to each other to get over their feelings for other people. That may not build a lasting marriage. They are good for each other though. That has been seen frequently as well. Dani still tries to convince herself that she is over Bill. Their multiple kisses recently would suggest otherwise. She's rational in wanting a relationship that doesn't mirror her first marriage. She yearns for something different. She's open to her bond with Andre deepening. She's also comfortable with him. He lifts her up. This is what they want. They may face conflict in the near future. Their minds are made up. Recklessness pushed them into marriage. It was scandalous. Dani has a penchant for flying off the handle. Andre remains a good influence. He strives for more too. That respect is apparent. And so, Vernon and Anita have to accept this decision. They can't change any minds. They need to offer support when it's needed and trust these adults to figure out everything else on their own.
Grade: B
Episode 1.155
Beyond the Gates crossed over with The Young and the Restless in August when Devon Winters presented Anita with an offer. And now, the soap crosses over with The Bold and the Beautiful with Ridge Forrester making an offer to Dani. Anita was flattered but rejected the deal. Dani feels as if she can't say no. This is the partnership she has always wanted. She understands Andre doesn't want to model. The offer is for them as a couple. It's not good enough for Andre to be behind the camera taking the shots. He has to star alongside Dani. He's more than just camera shy. Keegan thinks it's suspicious that Andre hasn't been photographed in over a year. His image online disappeared. He's hiding for a reason. Andre has yet to share that with Dani. That may be his true motive behind denying her dream. That scandal presents as the next big story worth pursuing. Bill got involved because he was jealous. Now, he commissions further investigation because he's intrigued. Andre has matured a lot in his return to Fairmont Crest. His story abroad presents with intrigue to offer further complications. He hasn't freaked out over the picture from his wedding. All of this may be blown out of proportion. Enough is suggested to tease more.
The drama over Naomi eating Bill's birthday cupcake was nothing more than a red herring. Hayley had not yet obtained the poison to kill Bill. Randy hands it to her now. She puts the plan into motion. That comes at a time when her facade is slipping. She meets with Randy at Uptown. Dani and Vanessa happen to be there. They share notes over Randy. That's mostly an excuse for Vanessa to fall even deeper into Joey's world. She ignores concerns from her friends. She's drawn to the power and danger only Joey can seemingly provide. She wants an equal partnership. No one can help her. She's making these mistakes because they excite her. Elsewhere, Naomi isn't given time to react to not being pregnant. This fight with Jacob occurred over nothing. It proves they fundamentally disagree on the issue. They fight whenever it is brought up. They don't know how to provide emotional support when it comes to this topic. They feel betrayed over the slightest perception of withholding information. Even when they reconnect, it doesn't last. Their marriage is apparently the latest to implode in the drama's debut year.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.156
Nicole will never let Leslie bother her ever again. She's determined in that sentiment. She maintains that energy with Leslie and Peaches at the club. Anita sees the cracks. They are evident upon construction starting up across the street. Leslie paid the foreman extra to work after hours. That got a rise out of Nicole. She knows this is the right mentality to embody. It's not a switch that just happens. She wants her parents to know that she is making progress. That's the message Anita receives. Afterwards, Nicole seeks comfort in Carlton's arms. She has that support waiting for her. She can't throw herself into work. She has to take time to grieve her marriage and focus on what comes next. Elsewhere, Leslie reckons with her aging parent needing extra care. Peaches calls Leslie out for her poor behavior. Leslie doesn't respect the club. She doesn't lead with class. She wants to annoy people. She wants to provoke a reaction. She's furious when she doesn't get that. She demands attention. That's not helpful when Peaches has a coughing spell. It's not a serious medical crisis. It's a painful reminder that she's dying. Leslie unloads on Eva. She's suddenly caring for her parent. Eva understands that pressure. She's been doing so with Leslie countless times. She helps even though it interrupts her evening with sexy newcomer Izaiah.
Jacob is foolish to believe love will overcome any obstacle. Naomi is perfectly reasonable with her concerns. She doesn't want to have kids and he does. Parenthood is his destiny. She knows that for certain. He's amazed she can make that assessment after their pregnancy scare. It's the only understandable conclusion to make though. It's Jacob not living in reality. He wants to appease Naomi. He dismisses his own feelings. They don't align. That can't be ignored. They were honest when they made their vows. They didn't foresee this being an issue. It has. Everything has changed. Naomi sees that clearly. Jacob doesn't. Joey basically operates the same way with his business. He believes Vanessa doesn't know what she's asking. She has too much to lose. He wanted this partnership. He has enjoyed drawing her in. He can't control her. Aspects of this story suggest he is fantastic at manipulating her. In this case though, it comes across as him trying to keep her in line. The danger is always present. Sometimes the show understands the severity of his actions. Other times, he's just along for the ride. The latter is apparent here.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.157
Hayley is focused solely on her mission to kill Bill and collect the life insurance money. She started this scheme before having a copy of the policy in her hand. Bill could have changed it. She's still expected to inherit millions should Bill die. She wants to accelerate her plans. She's furious when she gets interrupted. A short temper like that reasonably should have exposed her many times at this point. She no longer does a great job at keeping it together. She's done. She's only interested in getting the poison in Bill. Randy tells her to be cautious. He even provides support if she has second thoughts. He wants to be the guy who will back her up no matter what. He presented that way to Doug too. That didn't create a consistent impression though. Randy behaves according to whatever the particular story needs. He doesn't have any agency of his own. His loyalty to Hayley is explained entirely by being family. That's meant to be enough. He doesn't have a voice to give his opinion about her desire to end their scams with one last big payday. The focus is entirely on Hayley. She's the more prominent figure. She carries more consequences. This twist gave her purpose beyond being in love with Bill. It still falls flat when placed in an episode with very little stakes whatsoever.
Martin and Smitty bask in their newfound love. They celebrate being together once more. All of their issues have gone away. They enjoy complete bliss. They schedule checking in on other members of the family. Martin only runs into Kat. She's at the hospital embarrassed for hurting Tomas during sex. They were so awkward in the beginning. And now, they can't keep their hands off each other. They can't do that for a week. That may prove how empty their connection is after he cheated. They connect in this way and not in any other. Again, that's concern for the future. Right now, the show tries to offer a different dimension in its storytelling. The tone just doesn't work. It's even more tedious when paired alongside the trivial concerns of Samantha and Tyrell. June points out that plenty of people have more serious problems than they do. Her advice is harsh but true. Jessica hasn't been seen in months. Plans are suddenly made. The teens no longer agonize over college. They are simply focused on the upcoming dance. That's sweet. It doesn't have much depth. The episode tries to fill in the gaps with the characters. It's just boring updates that really don't advance the story in meaningful ways.
Grade: C
Episode 1.158
Naomi and Jacob are miserable together. Enter Izaiah, Jacob's younger brother. He catches Naomi as she stumbles towards the bathroom. He was eyeing the couple throughout their time at Uptown with Derek and Ashley. Izaiah teased some family tension when he met Eva. Now, more pieces come together. He's still a mysterious newcomer meant to stir up these dynamics. Naomi and Jacob want to recapture the energy that made them so great together. Derek and Ashley pick up on the misery immediately. Derek even tries to argue that it's better to keep secrets. It's outrageous that he plans on surprising Ashley that he can walk on their wedding day. He fantasies about that perfect moment. Seeing it in his dreams only makes it inevitable that it won't play out that way. Ashley and Andre continually running into each other also keeps hope alive about their dynamic. That comes when Dani is willing to bet on the strength of her marriage. It's somewhat concerning that she is changing her dreams to accommodate her husband. Bill required so much of that. Andre isn't as forceful and demanding. Dani's dreams were crushed because Andre wasn't honest about why he doesn't want to model. Frankly though, it's more exciting to watch Dani stroll over to Joey and defend Vanessa. She wants to protect her friend. Vanessa only sees the perils in her friends trying to decide what's best for her.
Vanessa tells Donnell he is returning to college. She can't allow him to interrupt what she is building with Joey. She demands an equal partnership. She manipulates her son to ensure this outcome. She's forceful about throwing his future away by taking a semester off. Then, she cries over Deanna's struggle with no one watching out for her. She guilts him into leaving. She does so in order for Joey to be in her home. She opens up more of her life to him. Dani asks what he wants from Vanessa. That's a fascinating question because the stakes are so unclear. Is he just using her? Is he trying to keep her away from the dangerous aspects of his business because he cares? Has he fallen in love? These are valid concerns that deserve more exploration. Furthermore, Chelsea feels compelled to meddle in Madison's strained relationship with her mother. She polls her followers to determine what she actually believes. She doesn't follow their advice. She's certain that mother and daughter can arrive at a point where they agree to disagree. She knows all about chaotic family relationships. Madison is hurt that her mother is no longer part of her life. She's firm in her decision. Chelsea getting involved may interfere with what's been a smooth and trusting bond with her girlfriend so far.
Grade: B-
