Beyond the Gates: Beyond the Gates Recap for February 11, 2026: The teens got taught and Nicole got her triangle on

Here's what went down Wednesday, February 11, 2026 on Beyond the Gates when the sour apple didn't fall far from the tree, it was back to the hotel for Hayley, and Chelsea wondered if she was repeating history.

What happened on Beyond the Gates

For Nicole it was a case of black and white on Beyond the Gates | Image: CBS

On Beyond the Gates, Dani was on a video call with Anita, noticing that her mom had switched back to a curly 'do. Anita acknowledged that she was enjoying experimenting with different styles; the mother and daughter spoke of what a “minefield” hair could be for Black women, and Dani considered going short as well. Then, Vernon wanted to show Anita how much he loved her new style – upstairs – and just as things began getting romantic, Samantha, Tyrell, and Jessica arrived by invitation of Anita.

Samantha appreciated her great-grandmother taking the time to offer her and Jessica etiquette training, though she thought Anita grappling with cancer was more important – plus she felt bad that she had sabotaged herself by focusing on Nathan instead of the upcoming gala. As for Jessica, she was still unwilling, and very mortified to learn that her father had called Anita and asked for her assistance. Anita handed the teenagers pairs of formal shoes and announced that they were going to learn to dance.

While Jessica felt her heels were too high, Samantha groused that hers weren't high enough. Nevertheless, Anita paired Jessica with Tyrell and took them through a basic box step, but Tyrell's coordination was so off that Samantha snarkily called him “rhythmless nation.” Vernon decided to do some demonstrating himself and took Anita in his arms, effortlessly moving with his wife.

The Duprees then ran the girls through the debutante introduction process, with Samantha executing her walk and curtsy perfectly. Jessica barely bothered, prompting Anita to declare she looked like she was stomping grapes. Anita implored Jessica to lose the attitude and noted how the cotillion and its related training had taught Nicole, Kat, and Naomi how to express confidence through grace. The singer proclaimed Jessica an honorary Dupree – something Tyrell called “a big freaking compliment”– and assured her that she had the necessary qualities already within her; she just needed to let herself shine.

Vernon “introduced” Jessica as “Jessica Harris,” and she carried herself more elegantly. However, the trio of teens were all thrown when Anita announced that they would score the debutante crown for one of the girls “or die trying”; Vernon jumped in to frame the intention in a diplomatic light instead.

At the country club, snooty Anastasia Belleclaire was seated with her granddaughter Francesca, equally snooty. Francesca grinned as Anastasia crowed that she would be the “platinum deb” – not Samantha, who didn't even live behind the gates. Francesca sniffed that Samantha's mother had lived on the streets, and Anastasia swore that they would make the Duprees bow down to them.

Dani took her spot at the usual Dupree table and found herself approached by Anastasia and Francesca, who wanted to be called “Chessy.” Though the Belleclaire women attempted to taunt Dani, the once-again model gave as good as she got, noticing that Francesca no longer had her “starter nose.” The teen tried to flex by saying she had been accepted into Wheatly Prep, only to learn that Dani and all the rest of the Duprees had been educated there. Anastasia scoffed upon learning that Samantha had missed etiquette classes, fearing she would be an embarrassment, but Dani smiled that Samantha had three generations of Dupree women to guide her.

Later, both Francesca and Anastasia rolled their eyes as Dani loudly and excitedly congratulated Chelsea on her engagement to Madison. Chelsea was surprised that Dani hadn't tried to take over the wedding planning; Dani attributed her more relaxed demeanor of late to Andre and pronounced that love was all one needed. Naomi, also in attendance, begged to differ: marriage took work and a willingness to show up, even when it was tempting to pretend that a partner didn't exist. Chelsea disputed Naomi's observation that she always got bored, insisting that she'd never get tired of Madison...but Naomi sensed that there was something else plaguing her sister.

Chelsea admitted she was worried that Madison would come to resent her for sacrificing the fellowship program in Copenhagen so they could live on the same continent together. She didn't want her and Madison to end up the way Dani and Bill had. Dani couldn't deny that she had thought back and wondered why she hadn't said no when Bill pressed her to give up modeling in favor of raising a family – but, at the time, Dani hadn't thought of it as a sacrifice, and she had loved raising both Chelsea and Naomi. Still, Dani had come to the realization that she should have been able to do both – and she assured Chelsea that at least she was aware of Madison's needs, the way Bill hadn't been of hers.

Anastasia slithered back up to the Dupree table with “Chessy” and sneered that Anita had looked a little green the last time she had been to the club. That must have been, Anastasia assumed, because Anita knew deep down that “Chessy” was going to take the crown instead of Samantha. After the Belleclaires left, Naomi stated that, if it had been anyone else making such an observation about Anita, they would have gone straight to Anita's doctor. Dani texted Vernon to inquire into Anita; the senator replied that Anita was doing just fine.

At Garland Memorial, Ashley, who was caught up on her work, told Shanice that things had gotten boring and that the shift seemed to be dragging on. Then, Bill wheeled Hayley out of the elevator, concerned that she had suffered a concussion from her assault. Though the previous day's scans had indicated that Hayley was fine, Shanice arranged for her to be assessed again, which produced the same result. Ashley hailed Hayley as lucky, inspiring Bill to say that he was the lucky one to be married to Hayley.

After Bill's suggestion for the hospital to keep Hayley overnight was considered overkill, he decided to take his wife to their hotel room – a precautionary accommodation since Hayley's keys and ID had been stolen; Bill was having a new security system installed at the house. At the Bowman, Hayley was surprised that she and Bill hadn't just stayed at Fairmont Crest, which was essentially “locked down” at all times. Bill was especially affectionate with Hayley and the two soon made love, after which Hayley wanted to know if Bill had meant what he'd been saying about making her his top priority...particularly prioritizing her over Dani.

Bill affirmed that Hayley was his wife, not Dani, and he had meant his vows. After Hayley jibed that she had barely been able to hear Bill's vows over Dani's pistol, Bill suggested they renew them right there in bed. The lawyer promised to be there for Hayley in sickness and in health...“'til death do us part,” Hayley grinned cryptically. Bill also swore to hunt down the man who had laid hands on his wife.

Back at the hospital, Kial was reporting in with Shanice when Nicole sidled up to the nurses station, calling the orthopedic surgeon's hands “dangerous in the best possible way.” Heavy flirting ensued, with Kial and Nicole purring about lengthening muscles and working out kinks. Nicole invited Kial out and told him she'd meet him at Uptown; afterwards, Kial again thanked Shanice for making the introduction with Nicole.

At Uptown, Nicole slinked in having donned another clinging dress, which Kial couldn't get enough of. “My lips don't lie,” he winked, confirming his approval – but as he and Kial fell into a kiss, Carlton entered the nightspot. Fitzgerald had gotten back into town from a trip early, hoping to surprise Nicole – yet he grumbled that he had gotten the surprise instead. Nicole took Carlton aside and chided him for being upset about her going out with Kial when they'd already established that they weren't exclusive.

Carlton insisted that what he and Nicole felt for each other was more than casual; Nicole was indeed of the opinion that Carlton made her feel beautiful and wanted, but she maintained that it was well within her rights to see whomever she wanted. The psychiatrist asked Carlton if he thought they should stop dating – he didn't answer, instead choosing to depart. Kial told Nicole that he had been in her position – and actually still was – so he was fine with whatever arrangement Nicole wanted.

Nicole wanted to dance right then and there, so she got her groove on with Kial as the rest of the patrons watched and applauded. Kial asked where Nicole had learned her dance moves; she revealed that she had picked up some steps while attending a summer-abroad program in Haiti. Nicole then decided that she and Kial should move on – he brought her to his home, where he asked the amorous woman if she was sure she wanted to progress beyond her own boundary of just kissing. “Stop talking,” Nicole instructed, and she and Kial went to bed for the first time.

Beyond the Gates airs weekdays on CBS and streams on Paramount Plus.