In a standout episode of Beyond the Gates, the beauty, the heritage, and the wealthy gathered for Samantha Richardson’s (Najah Jackson) cotillion debut. But that’s not all, the writers found a way to juxtapose this major event in a young Black woman’s life with the sting operation that was going down where Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges), who is undercover, and the cops are going to nail the leaders of the illegal blood plasma operation, once and for all

What made this episode so good was when you went to the danger of the cops outside the drop point, and Jacob and the bad guys inside, you felt like you were watching a primetime procedural drama; especially the way the scenes were directing and the camera work. Then, you bounce back to the heartfelt cotillion and what it means for the young woman and the high society families in Fairmont Crest.

It should not go without saying, that the Beyond the Gates, wardrobe, hair and make-up department did a phenomenal job with the cotillion and the casting of the debs and their escorts. Pretty much perfection. And let’s not forget about when the debs and their guys busted a move right in the middle of the formal dance. Nice touch!

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COTILLION SYNCHRONICITY

In story, Donnell (Alex Cheeks) is late which freaks out Samantha and Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli). No one knows where he could be. Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Kat (Colby Nixon) step up to be the hosts for the proceedings when the usual host is unable to perform her duties due to falling ill.

When it’s time for the debs to be announced one by one, Francesca (Madison Alsobrook) steps on Samantha’s gown intentionally, but lucky for her, Donnell has arrived just in time to catch her from hitting the floor. After each deb is presented, they are each joined by their escort and make a trip around the dance floor. Next, came the Waltz which was precision by all involved, with a little 2026 dance moves sprinkled in the middle of it.

Jessica’s (Camryn Jade) parents did not like the fun of the dance and called her a “video vixen” and an embarrassment to the family. Nathan (Brennen Suttle) insults Samantha which leads to the young man being told to stay away from Terrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) by Ted (Keith D. Robinson). Next, June (Jasmine Burke) comes upon Nathan drinking from a flask! (Don’t tell me he is going to be drunk behind the wheel of a car and hit someone?)

Upset, Jessica tells Tyrell they should go be alone together and she knows where they can go to finish what they started the other day. However, it’s time for the reveal of the Platinum Deb! To do the honors is … Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley).

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MAN DOWN

Elsewhere, outside the warehouse and inside the surveillance car, Elon (Malachi Malik) and Marcel (Darryl W. Handy) keep tabs on what is about to go down, and Randy (Maurice P. Kerry), who was sent by Joey ends up arrested in the back seat of the cop car. Inside, Grayson (Jordi Vilasuso) and Jacob prepare for the delivery and big meeting. Derek (Ben Gavin) shows up having followed Grayson there and sees Jacob.

Dr Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht) arrives, saying she wants to be a part the big presentation to the higher-ups. She comes upon Jacob, who reveals himself. Knowing she’s caught, she tells Jacob she will strike a deal with him. Suddenly, Ren (Donny Carrington) gets a call about a leak and decides they need to end the life of Grayson! Ren screams they will all pay for double crossing him.

Suddenly, guns are drawn as the police arrive. Derek tries to stop someone from being shot, but at the end of the episode we see Jacob down on the ground. Beyond the Gates EP’s, Sheila Ducksworth and Julie Carruthers previously teased that someone will die this week, but who will it be? Is it Derek? Lia? Grayson? Jacob, or someone else?

Now below, what did you think of the cotillion episode part 1? Who will be named Platinum Deb? Who do you think doesn’t make it out alive at the warehouse? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

The Monday, May 18 episode of General Hospital brought with it a startling discovery, a new reality for one surgeon, a new cop on the scene, and a granddaughter determined to protect her grandmother.

First, Laura (Genie Francis) tells Mac (John J. York) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) that Anna (Finola Hughes) is in worse trouble than she was previously after she had Kevin to check on her while he was in Europe. They head out to update Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner).

Meanwhile, Emma gets upset over Anna during a discussion with Felicia and breaks Anna’s favorite coffee cup. Emma is overcome with sadness and cries, trying to figure out how she is supposed to be so happy with Gio (Giovanni Mazza), while Anna is locked away somewhere against her own will.

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BAD NEWS FOR EMMA

Laura and Mac arrive to talk with Emma and Felicia, and reveal how Anna escaped and made it to the border, but she was now in the custody of the French authorities and they are transferring her to a long term mental illness facility, which freaks out Emma just as Gio arrives. Emma runs into his arms. Laura says at this point, Anna needs a strong advocate and she will make a call on her behalf. (But to who?)

At the Metro Court pool, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is arrested by Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) after throwing a punch at Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson). Joe takes Curtis to the station where Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Fitzgerald to remove Curtis’ handcuffs. Now inside the interrogation room, Curtis explains that he believes Isaiah left he and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) dead at the side of the road the night of the accident and provoked him.

BROKEN HAND, BROKEN MAN

Curtis just wants to put it all behind him and says he will pay for Isaiah’s medical bills, but Dante informs him, he is trouble and he needs to call a lawyer. So, he calls Jordan. Meanwhile, Isaiah gets looked at while at General Hospital, and his hand is messed up. He comes to learn he will need multiple surgeries not only for broken bones but two tendons were severed in the process. Isaiah realizes his surgical days are numbered possibility forever, if not for a very long time.

JOSSLYN FINDS ANNA’S MESSAGE

While being held hostage, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) tries again to convince Cassius (Ryan Paevey) to set her free. That leads into the two playing cards and Cassius asking Josslyn how she got into the WSB. Josslyn admits her boyfriend was murdered and she killed the person who was the culprit for retribution. She says she put together all the pieces that he did the crime, and now this line of work gives her purpose.

In the shocking final moments, after Cassius leaves for the night, Josslyn heads to the cot in the other part of the holding room and sees a hand-carved message on the wall from Anna that she was there and help captive on October 31, 2025.  We fade to black.

So what did you think of the concern Emma showed for Anna, and the performance of Braedyn Bruner? What are your very initial impressions of Jonathan Bennett as Joe Fitzgerald? Which character is annoying you more in the story …  Curtis, Jordan, Portia or Isaiah? Weigh-in via the comment section.

On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.

It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.

Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.

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SPECIAL DELIVERY

Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.

THE WRONG SUSPECT

Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!

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DINING WITH RIC

At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.

Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.