In the Monday, June 23 episode of Beyond the Gates, Vernon summoned Bill for a pre-summit showdown. And it all had to do with the Martin secret that we still don’t quite know the particulars of, even though Kenneth once again cornered Martin about it at the country club. Again.
Bill Versus Vernon
Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) and Vernon’s tense showdown didn’t disappoint. The lawyer started with his trademark bluster. He advocated for more respect for himself and his wife. Does he not understand that there is no way that will happen anytime soon?
Why should the Duprees treat Bill and Hayley (Marquita Goings) with respect when, together, they hurt Dani (Karla Mosley) and destroyed a family? It has been six months, and Dani still holds out for hope that she and Bill aren’t over. He might need to be happy that he’s starting to repair his relationship with his daughters.
Anyway, Bill thought he had all the power. Vernon (Clifton Davis) was the one who summoned him. And wanted to use his talents, his ability to be the family clean-up man, to do what he apparently mishandled two years ago. And that’s rid his family of this “bigoted busboy” so completely that they never hear from the guy again.
But “Kenneth” (Jason Vendryes) works at the country club, and he’s cornering Martin (Brandon Claybon) every other day with his rants about blackmail. And his resentment of the Duprees, who are a privileged Black family. He wants what is his, even though he started the nightmare two years ago. Th man even used the “reparations” card. He clearly needs to be stopped again.
MORE: Here’s what’s coming up next on BTG.
The Fixer Needs to Get to Fixing
Eventually, however, Vernon gets Bill to realize that, sure, the lawyer has had to go into fixer mode multiple times over the years. But it isn’t Vernon who owes Bill. It’s the other way around. Vernon is the one who enabled Bill to create a lucrative legal practice. Without Vernon opening the doors, Bill would be nothing.
What Vernon did for Bill was invaluable, and it looks like it puts him in Vernon’s debt forever and ever more. Love how Vernon stated the facts. He also got Bill to see where the power lies. Not with a slick fixer, but a revered senator. A man whose family’s legacy will outlast them both.
MORE: Check out what else is happening this week on BTG.
Vernon dug deep and played dirty to ensure Bill realized who was in the power position here. The retired senator basically told Bill he made him, and he can break him, too. He can lay the blame for the mishandling of this mess on him and him alone. So, Bill better get in line and help them fix the Martin mystery once and for all.
Later, back at his office, Bill talked to somebody on the phone about cleaning up the mess properly. Any chance the person on the other end of the call was Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom)? Because Bill is set to talk to him at the end of this week.
Let us know your thoughts on the entire episode in the comments.
