For the past few weeks, Beyond the Gates‘ Heather Armstrong has been circulating through Fairmont Crest and the more popular DMV haunts like Uptown, Orphey Gene’s, and the country club. She has been observing, making connections, and trying to make everyone think she was a nice person. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, she has been trying to lure Andre back to her bed, attempting to partner up with Joey, and engaging in a one-night stand wth Carlton. Oh, and she had Lia Whitmore taken care of. And because of that death, there are those who need to be afraid that she is The Impaler.
Key Takeaways
- Heather has quietly gathered intel on potential threats across Fairmont Crest.
- Jacob and Smitty’s investigation could put them and their loved ones directly in The Impaler’s sights.
- Heather’s growing connections mean almost anyone could become useful, expendable, or collateral damage.
The Impaler Is Gathering Intel
Heather, aka The Impaler (Ashley Jones, BTG’s performer of the month for August 2026), sliced her hand to have an excuse to case Garland Memorial Hospital. As a result, she overheard people talking about Lia’s death. And so she knows who to keep her eye on. Additionally, she toyed with Martin (Brandon Claybon) and Smitty (Mike Manning) at Uptown.
She pumped June (Jasmine Burke) for information. She has made fast friends with Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) and Dani (Karla Mosley). And she connected with Ted (Keith D. Robinson), slept with Carlton (Robert Christopher Riley), and introduced herself to Naomi (Arielle Prepetit). Her slithering around town is yielding some interesting intel.
And pretty soon, she will probably enact her plan to stop the bleeding that her plasma ring is currently experiencing. Her DMV and San Francisco operations have imploded. Who knows what other cities will follow suit? Something tells us that offing Lia is only the beginning.
Who or What Needs to Fear The Impaler the Most
Jacob and Smitty
Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and Smitty are at the top of the list. The opposition to The Impaler’s plasma ring started with them. Smitty brought Jacob the idea, and the two have been working against the red market ring ever since. And they didn’t stop once the DMV leg of the operation went down.
Smitty’s articles have been gaining nationwide attention to the point that they’re helping further damage Heather’s criminal ring in other cities. San Francisco just went down. And the two refuse to back down until they uncover the identity of The Impaler.
Heather has already wanted to go after Smitty, especially. But Joey (Jon Lindstrom) has prevented her. How much longer will she hold herself back?
Also, Heather seems (to us) to be a collateral damage kind of criminal. So if Jacob and Smitty should fear her vengeance agenda, it’s safe to assume that their families and those close to them should, too.
Grayson and Ashley
When word spread of Lia Whitmore’s death, Grayson (Jordi Vilasuso) was one of the first to start freaking the you-know-what out. He was the one to work closely with Lia (Cecelia Specht). And once the bust happened, he was the one to walk away free and clear. He cooperated with the police.
And so it’s easy to understand why he would be afraid of what fate awaits him. And Heather was at the hospital, where she observed and overheard Grayson and Ashley (Jen Jacob) talking about Lia’s death. So she knows who he is. He may be right to be afraid.
And Ashley should as well. Being in a committed relationship with him — they recently exchanged ‘I love yous’ — could be detrimental to her health.
Dani, Andre, Joey, and Vanessa
Dani and Vanessa should be worried for a couple of different reasons, however. Heather is unpredictable. Right now, she’s playing nice with Joey and Andre (Sean Freeman). But at a certain point, she will stop playing nice and start acting viciously and more manipulatively than she already is.
Heather wants to partner up with Joey. And so far, he has refused. He said he would kill his sister if she hurt or harmed Vanessa in any way. And Heather gets that for now. But his threat may not be enough if/when she gets desperate.
Joey’s sister also wants Andre back in her bed. The two share a serious history. One that hasn’t been fully declared as of yet. But Andre is already afraid of what Heather could do. Which is why Dani could be on Heather’s list of people to handle or maybe even dispose of.
But, honestly, Andre and Joey should watch out, too. That is, if Heather is as brutal and as unhinged as we have been led to believe.
June and Carlton
For the moment, June and Carlton are useful to Heather. June provides information and color commentary about the ways of the DMV and the Fairmont Crest residents. Meanwhile, Carlton is a much-needed distraction for her.
And he may also be a way to make Andre jealous. But what will happen once they stop being useful? Will she drop them like a hot potato, or will they become the collateral damage we alluded to earlier?
Garland Memorial Hospital
Ted has been attempting to do damage control on the hospital’s reputation. Lia’s death has reminded everyone that she was the chief of staff at the hospital. And the plasma ring ran through its halls.
Although we haven’t seen her since everyone found out about Lia, Monica (Iona Morris), the new chief of staff, is undoubtedly working hard behind the scenes to protect the hospital during this latest crisis.
But Ted did mention certain consequences should the hospital continue to take more hits. The hospital may not be a person, but those who work there may need to worry about The Impaler and the plasma ring continuing to negatively affect Garland.
Who else do you think should fear The Impaler’s wrath?
MORE: Here’s what’s coming up this week on BTG.
