Beyond the Gates: Beyond the Gates Recap for February 17, 2026: Valentines were delivered across the DMV except to Leslie, whose mailbox was empty like Charlie Brown

Here's what went down Tuesday, February 17, 2026 on Beyond the Gates when Nicole and Kat kept their elbows off the table, Hayley danced to some house, and Vanessa's rendezvous was sponsored by the letters S and M.

What happened on Beyond the Gates

Smitty said “no bueno” to Costa Rica on Beyond the Gates | Image: CBS

On Beyond the Gates, Martin met Smitty at the country club for a Valentine's Day, each marveling at finally getting a night to themselves. They ran into Kat and Nicole out on their own “Galentine's” celebration, but Nicole insisted that the guys not join them so they could enjoy their time together as a couple. Smitty presented Martin with an variety of “younger” and “cooler” ties for him to wear on the campaign trail, but when Martin gifted Smitty with a trip to Costa Rica – which would see them leaving the following day – Smitty had to beg off.

Martin thought it was just a matter of having someone see to the kids while they were gone, since Smitty's job was freelance. But Smitty stressed that he was in the middle of a major investigation and couldn't just up and leave, despite how much he appreciated Martin's thoughtfulness. Martin was disappointed, as he wouldn't be able to get away again until after the November midterms, so Smitty encouraged him to make the most of the rest of the evening with him.

Nicole shocked Kat by revealing that she had opted not to see Carlton or Kial for Valentine's Day. Kat was touched that her mom had chosen to be with her, even if she was still getting used to Nicole's “Living Single” life. The mother and daughter delved into “girly” talk subjects like massages and skin care, but Kat still privately texted with Tomás while Nicole verged on sexting with both Kial and Carlton. When they each realized what the other was doing, they had a good laugh over it.

Joey came home to find a fire roaring and a drink waiting for him. Vanessa emerged in a black wig, garters, and a bustier and ordered him to put on a blindfold. The casino owner resisted, but Vanessa cooed how much his other senses would heighten with his sight temporarily restricted and asked him to trust her. Joey went along as Vanessa also tied him to a chair, but he protested loudly after she slapped a pair of handcuffs on him.

Vanessa sat across the room sipping champagne as Joey fussed that one of his enemies could kill him should they burst in while he was incapacitated. Undeterred, Vanessa said that his home was guarded and that it wouldn't hurt him to give up control for one night. She tickled him with a rose, shoved chocolate in his mouth and worked him over with an ice cube before removing the blindfold and restraints. Joey admitted to enjoying the sensations, and also that his willingness to give himself over to Vanessa should prove how much he loved her. Then he decided it was his turn to be in charge, and their night continued.

Bill bought out a flower shop's supply of roses for Hayley, who didn't groove on Bill's idea to just have a romantic evening in their hotel room. She worked him by saying that a night out would distract her from the fact that her “mugger” was still on the loose and could strike again anywhere. Bill groused about Hayley's assailant still not being found, in spite of his calls to police chief Elon every few hours. Though the lawyer offered to take Hayley home now that the property's overall security had been upgraded, Hayley claimed she wasn't ready, and that she still saw the thief every time she closed her eyes.

Hayley apologized for killing the mood, but Bill had a Valentine's gift he hoped would cheer his wife up – the deed to the vacation home she had wanted in St. Bart's. Even though they had lost the home when the previous owner had taken it off the market, Bill had continued to monitor things, discovering that the man was getting a divorce and needed to sell it as part of his settlement. Hayley deemed Bill the cleverest and most generous husband and couldn't wait to christen the house by making love in every room as they had once planned. Bill wanted to get started on rehearsing right away.

Anita was resting on the couch when Vernon came into the living room with roses and her favorite saltwater taffy, which had become their Valentine's tradition. Vernon realized that the treats might taste different to Anita due to her chemo, but he still wanted her to have them. Anita announced that her gift to Vernon wouldn't fit in a box, and she began singing along to a track from her first solo jazz album. The matriarch then explained her inspiration for its lyrics – in “the analog days,” she had been on tour one February 14th, and Vernon had just begun in the Senate, which had kept them apart. Anita had put her loneliness into the words...only for Vernon to fly in and show up on her hotel room door.

Vernon smiled that Anita's fans would be jealous that he'd gotten a private concert. Anita replied that it had felt good to sing, but sighed that it may be a while before she could again – chemo might even take her voice. The reason she had wanted to croon to Vernon was to highlight the fact that their love for each other had always gotten them through the bleakest times. She added that there was “nothing I can't find my way through – even cancer – with you by my side.”

Leslie was with Eva at Orphey Gene's, unhappy that Izaiah hadn't made plans with Eva for Valentine's Day. The elder Thomas was even more distressed to learn that Izaiah was meeting Eva there at the decidedly unromantic diner. Eva maintained that she didn't need flashy or outlandish gifts and proved herself when Izaiah arrived with a handful of handpicked flowers that she cherished. Leslie scoffed that it was Champagne and Diamonds Day, so Eva fired back that Leslie was spending it with her, dateless. If she didn't like Eva and Izaiah's vibe, Eva said, Leslie could leave.

After Leslie left a message for Marcel on her way out, Eva apologized for her mother's behavior; Izaiah chuckled that he was getting used to Leslie's “unique personality.” Izaiah did concede that Leslie had had a point and proceeded to hand Eva a gift box. Inside was a chunky necklace that Eva proclaimed was “so me!” – yet she felt bad that all she'd gotten Izaiah was a card; she didn't want to be “one of those women” who took without giving back. Izaiah noted that words could be just as special as physical presents, and indeed he was moved by her loving written sentiments.

Ted ended up bringing Shanice to Uptown since he'd accidentally made reservations at a fancy restaurant...for Valentine's Day 2027. Shanice jovially asked if Ted was ready to commit to a dinner a year in the future; Ted responded that he'd be a fool to not lock it down with her now.

Dani arrived with Andre, who noticed that people were staring at his wife, likely because the news was out about her returning to modeling. She thanked him for giving her the confidence to reboot her career – then the Richardsons exchanged pleasantries with Shanice and Ted. When Shanice pointed out that Ted had bought her the dress she was wearing, Dani made what seemed like a crack about the couple already being at the stage where they picked out each other's clothes – however, Dani clarified that Shanice looked stunning in it and that she had no problem with her sister's ex moving on.

Andre and Dani invited Ted and Shanice to have dinner with them sometime, with Dani grinning that she liked Ted much better now that he was no longer in Leslie's orbit. Shanice was just explaining that Leslie still hadn't let go of Ted when Ms. Thomas walked in. Dani stopped Shanice from going over to confront Leslie's former mistress...just long enough to say she'd be joining Shanice in the confrontation.

Leslie finally got Marcel on the phone, but she hung up on him after he cavalierly reminded her that the two of them hadn't made plans for Valentine's Day. “You'd better keep your panties on tonight,” Shanice smirked, prompting Leslie to boast that she would go and show Ted what she did or didn't have underneath her coat. That, Leslie bet, would be the end of Ted's rebound fling. “No,” Shanice disputed, unfazed. “That would be the end of you, Wiggy!” Such a move would only show Ted how pathetic Leslie really was, the nurse predicted.

As Ted and Andre watched, Dani jumped in that she was as crazy as Leslie and dared her to do something that would force her to act in self-defense. Leslie kept her composure but hoped that “triflin' hoes” Shanice and Dani would choke on candy hearts. Once Leslie stalked out, Ted remarked that he had never seen that much fear in Leslie's eyes; Shanice assured him that, while Valentine might be a saint, she wasn't. Meanwhile, Andre had to admit that Dani getting in Leslie's face was kind of hot.

Leslie had returned to her room and wrapped her hair up for the night. She scowled into the mirror, then smashed it with a bottle, leaving her to stare at her shattered reflection.

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