In Beyond the Gates Season 1 Episode 140, Martin (Brandon Claybon) finally grows some balls and stands up to Smitty (Mike Manning).
On the one hand, I applaud Martin for finally taking control of his life, but on the other, my hopes for # Smittin’ getting back together are becoming dimmer and dimmer.
But if we’re being honest, it is about time.
The question that arises after the events of this episode is: how long should someone be punished for a mistake, and how long should they take it?
Martin has taken all of Smitty’s beatings throughout most of this soap’s run with little to no pushback.
He has extended an olive branch several times, only to be rudely rebuffed. Even the most patient person would eventually run out of patience.
After an arguably scrumptious meal Martin prepared for them both, Smitty is feeling quite amorous and tries to initiate intimacy, but Martin has been there before.
One bitten, twice shy. The last time they had sex, he felt used. It is a terrible feeling to feel used and discarded by someone you love dearly. Somehow, it compounds that pain.
Martin Draws a Line in ‘Beyond the Gates’ Season 1 Episode 140
Photo: CBS (Screenshot)One thing Martin should be applauded for is how gently he handles breaking the news to his husband. I know if that were me, I’d be crashing out on him.
Martin calmly and precisely breaks the news, offering as much detail as possible, and even the least rational of us can see where he’s coming from.
How foreign must it feel to be treated like a stranger in your own home, a home you’ve shared with your family for a long time?
To sleep on the couch like a visitor, without an end in sight for the visit?
Martin is brilliant at separating himself from Smitty. That’ll give them both the time to think, and arguably, Smitty needs to do more thinking than Martin.
Is he willing to break up his family for this? Was Martin’s misstep big enough to ruin their marriage over?
What effect will that have on the kids, who are also dealing with a turbulent development in their lives?
It will be interesting to see where this story goes after the separation. Maybe they’ll both realize that they are better together. (Can you tell I’m hoping for that to happen?)
Or, they’ll realize that they grew older together but headed in different directions.
They had a pretty sweet life with Martin being the breadwinner while Smitty kept the home. However, the children are grown, and the home no longer requires much attention.
It may be time to move on and pursue different interests now. Based on Smitty’s reaction to being rebuffed by Martin, it’ll break him.
I felt so sad for him at that moment, even after riding the high of Martin’s newfound courage.
New episodes of Beyond the Gates air weekly on CBS.