Family is forever on Beyond the Gates, even if you can’t stand each other. There is certainly an ocean’s worth of love lost between Bill and Vernon, but the ex-father-in-law/son-in-law duo have once again been thrown together in a storyline. This time, it’s to combat the perceived evil of having to pay Leslie her inheritance.
On the show’s Thursday, August 21 episode, Vernon invited Bill over to the family estate to handle business. Bill told him that they wouldn’t be able to stop Leslie from receiving the money she’s owed. But he offered what will likely turn out to be a devil’s bargain—intel for respect. Vernon agreed to the steep price, but it could come to bite him in the future.
A Deal With The Devil
It’s no secret on BTG how Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) operates. He specializes in underhanded deals that he can later use as leverage. Suspicious activity that leads to the problem being “eliminated” is straight out of his playbook. He has no shame about doing what he has to do to get what he wants. And if the Duprees come calling, he’ll gripe and sneer, but he’ll do what they ask.
Bill has come to their rescue more than once since BTG started in February, but his agreement to watch Leslie’s (Trisha Mann-Grant) movements is a different kind of deal. His payment comes in the form of Vernon (Clifton Davis) and the family respecting him and his wife, Hayley (Marquita Goings).
This means no more freezing them out of polite society. Bill and Hayley will be acknowledged with direct eye contact and a proper greeting. In Vernon’s case, a handshake. It may seem like a small ask, but it’ll require the Duprees to swallow their pride. As Bill mentioned, they’re down in the muck with him now. There’s no room for them to be high and mighty in this situation.
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The Trouble With Bill
Bill agreed to diligently track any move Leslie makes that could directly impact the Duprees. The concern is that her access to wealth means she now has power that she can wield in an attack against the family. But she’s “new money” and therefore will make mistakes as she adjusts to having so much cash at her disposal. That’s where Bill will likely see her trip up.
The problem is, Vernon solely told him that they’re not looking for any solutions that involve Leslie losing her life. With such a simple parameter to follow, there’s a lot Bill could do that Vernon wouldn’t approve of. Tactics that Leslie has even used herself—staging accidents, assuming an identity, manipulating events to his favor for a nefarious outcome, etc. Surveillance is likely only a part of what Bill has planned to honor their deal.
If Anita (Tamara Tunie) thinks she feels guilty now over Barbara’s death, imagine the weight she’ll carry if something happens to Leslie. After all, she despises the woman, but Leslie is still Barbara’s daughter. Giving her blessing for Vernon to make this agreement could backfire in a way that the Duprees can’t come back from.
