I never thought after 40 years reviewing soap operas that there would come a time when I grew almost fed up with them. Over the last few weeks there has been murder after murder on General Hospital where once crimes of the heart were daily fare. Even otherwise reliably classy Young and the Restless has stooped to staging a tacky kidnapping featuring Sharon and Phyllis. I hate clichéd soaps! Yuck!
So just in time comes CBS’ Beyond the Gates, a brand new and, happily, very intelligent soap brought to us by headwriter Michele Val Jean. Backing her up is an A team led by executive producer Sheila Ducksworth and a list of experienced soap writers that includes Julie Hanan Carruthers, Bob Guza, Ron Carlivati, Sara Bibel and Susan Dansby.
Sponsored by the NAACP and Procter & Gamble, Gates is the first soap to present a predominantly African-American cast since Generations (1989-1991). What a class act this fledgling soap is proving to be, earning both high praise and high numbers. Gates topped GH in the ratings in its first week.
To say that Gates teems with life is an understatement. What an ambitious undertaking, reminiscent of the launchings the classic soaps received back in the day. The cast is so big, I had to watch the first week of the show with a character diagram in hand.
The lead family is the aristocratic Duprees, who live in a deluxe gated Washington suburb. The family is headed by Vernon (movie star Clifton Davis), a former senator married to Anita, played by the elegant Tamara Tunie, formerly of the prime time hit series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and As the World Turns.
Their eldest daughter is Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix), a psychiatrist who is a very sophisticated and accomplished woman. Their younger daughter Dani, (Karla Mosley) is proud to be a delicious trouble-maker. What a fire cracker! Did you see the episode where she pulled a gun at the wedding of her ex-husband Bill (Timon Durett)? Even All My Children’s Erica Kane wouldn’t pull a stunt like this!
Nicole is married to a brilliant neurosurgeon named Ted Richardson (Maurice Johnson). This is the connection to the prolific Richardson family, a complex crew replete with sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, exes, and intendeds. Dani and Bill have a daughter Naomi played by Arielle Prepetit. RhonniRose Mantilla plays Chelsea Richardson. Plus, there are at least a half dozen other regulars’ characters and several secondary families, both black and white.
On the team, too, our two of our beloved soap veterans: Joey Armstrong, played by Jon Lindstrom, known also as Kevin on GH), and Cady McClain (once Dixie on AMC), who plays Pamela Curtis.
There is a lot riding on the staying power of Gates. Does the future of soaps depend on its continued success? Will those who are convinced that daytime drama is close to death find new hope in Gates?
Kudos to CBS for caring enough and being smart enough to add this show to our afternoon line-up. Marlena rejoices. Quality soap opera lives!
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching a brand now, African American fronted soap opera from the beginning. I really think this show is going to gain a respectable and loyal audience. I am genuinely heartened by the initial support viewers are giving it.
May Beyond the Gates be the first of many more!!
Thanks G.L.! Daytime soaps live again!
Thanks as always G.L.