As a First-Time Soap Opera Watcher, ‘Beyond The Gates’ Exceeded My Expectations

They Indeed Brought the Drama

In February, ahead of the show’s daytime debut, PEOPLE spoke exclusively to creator, showrunner and executive producer Michele Val Jean, who described the “really close-knit, accomplished Black family” as “messy as hell.” And, after watching the soap opera daily for five months, I can absolutely confirm that she was telling the honest truth.

From cheating scandals and secret rendezvous to illegal cover-ups and an alleged pregnancy hoax, there’s no shortage of drama in the upscale gated community of Fairmont Crest. Every episode has had me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering what other secrets, twists and turns are lurking in the shadows for the Duprees.

New Generation, Classic Feel

I grew up hearing all about the crazy, theatrical storylines my mother used to watch in her favorite soaps, as well as the deep connection and attachment she had to her “stories.” Nothing could tear her away from the TV for the hour that show was on.

With all of her experience and creativity, Val Jean brought that exact feeling to a younger audience. Beyond the Gates has a little something for every family member, adding in different elements to pull in a intergenerational audience. The soap maintains the feel of its predecessors, including the dramatic pauses, facial expressions, love triangles, schemes and ploys, with the addition of modern day culture, specifically intended to draw in Gen Zers like myself.

Representation and Inclusivity

Beyond the Gates is the first Black daytime soap opera in over 35 years (and the first-ever hour-long soap led by a Black cast). The last daytime sudser to center a Black family was Generations, which aired 30-minute episodes daily on NBC from 1989 to 1991. The drama is also where Val Jean launched her career as a writer.

Aside from the racial diversity, the drama proves how impactful inclusivity can be when done with intentionality, with a focus on each character’s individual self-expression. Far too often, pop culture uses the lives of minorities and queer people simply to check a box, which can lead to flat, token-ish characters that don’t represent the diversity of a community.

This is one of the many areas in which Beyond the Gates shines. From the unyielding love and loyalty shown in the marriage of Brandon Claybon’s Martin Richardson and Mike Manning’s Bradley “Smitty” Smith, to RhonniRose Mantilla’s Chelsea Hamilton’s sexual freedom, there’s a level of care and thoughtfulness that makes the show rewarding and rich to watch.

Well-Rounded Characters and Storylines

Before watching Beyond the Gates, I assumed that soap operas solely featured one-dimensional characters and plots that defy logic, like the character’s changing faces or alien encounters. I figured it was simply just a by-product of creating daily content at such a fast speed.

However, as Val Jean told PEOPLE, this soap is “rooted in family” and free from all of the outrageous storylines which can plague other soap operas. Beyond the Gates is representative of the sentiment “Black people are not a monolith” — in a totally organic way. Each and every character in the show is unique, from their personal style to their views on life. They each have their own strong personalities and different interests.

The complexity in the characters only adds to the reality of the show, drawing in viewers who can always find some part of themselves, whether it’s the investigative skills of Katherine “Kat” Richardson (played by Colby Muhammad) or Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne’s (Arielle Prepetit) passion for justice, on screen. The well-rounded characters and fleshed-out storylines only strengthen the appeal of the show.

Pacing and World Building

When it comes to a television series, pacing and world-building is essential for me. If the storyline moves too fast, I lose interest because it becomes unbelievable; too slow and I might not even finish a season.

Beyond the Gates stuck the perfect balance, seemingly knowing exactly when to draw out a storyline, reveal the truth behind a huge secret and plant seeds for the next big scandal to keep viewers hooked.

…But They Could Stand to Improve Their Gen Z Slang

It’s no secret that the show is trying to draw in a younger audience. (I’m 25, so it’s working!) From Chelsea’s career as an influencer and business owner to the show’s openness to sexual fluidity, it’s clear they’re keeping that demographic in mind throughout all aspects of the show, and most times, it’s part of that inclusivity I’m so into.

However, the usage of certain Gen Z terminology makes it appear as though there are no younger writers in the room. And, if there are, no one is listening to them. Martin and Smitty’s 16-year-old daughter Samantha, played by Najah Jackson, and 17-year-old son Tyrell, played by Jaden Lucas Miller, often are the victims of this. Whenever they are in a scene, their dialogue oftentimes includes slightly cringy moments where they try to inject Gen Z slang into every sentence. This means their dialogue is packed with buzzwords like “sus,” “ate,” “delulu” and “rizz” in a way that even a Boomer might find, well, sus.

All in all, Beyond the Gates has been the perfect intro soap opera for me, blending the heightened storylines of its predecessors with an intentionality that sets itself apart.

During a time of reboots and remakes, the CBS soap offers viewers something fresh and innovative. It’s easy to fall in love with the characters and get invested in all the drama of Fairmount Crest because it’s rooted in reality. With its modern day feel, it’s easy to imagine yourself living in the tight-knit community and going through all the motions with the Duprees.

As a first-time soap opera watcher, I came into the show with a lot of preconceived notions of what I was going to see, But, quickly Val Jean and the creative team behind the show proved to me that I was completely wrong.