Credit: CBS (4), CBS screenshot

On two different occasions this week, so many people took to social media with complaints about Beyond the Gates that it wound up trending, particularly on Twitter (never X). As someone who has loved the show from the start (and recaps it nearly every day), I tried my darndest to look at life in Fairmont Crest objectively and ask myself if those declaring the soap to be a snoozefest were right.

The episodes which inspired this week’s ire were Wednesday’s (focusing largely on newbie Noah performing in Nicole’s living room) and Thursday’s (which found Leslie/Ted/Nicole’s history being discussed all around town).

Sitting down with our deputy editor (who also happens to be my longtime bestie), we dove into Wednesday’s episode. Now, to be fair, we tend to have the same taste when it comes to what we like in a soap, so it wasn’t as if there was going to be the kind of big “he said/he said” debate you might get were a fan and non-fan of the show to watch. We’ve both been enamored with the residents of Fairmont Crest since its debut.

Having watched the latest episodes, here’s the thing: I get it. If you’re looking for big drama, this week definitely did not deliver. Heck, since launching, the show hasn’t had a single baby swap or evil doppelganger (the closest to that being Jackie Tyree, the Anita impersonator who helped Dani and Andre tie the knot).

More: What other soaps can learn from Beyond the Gates

That’s not to say there haven’t been some big, dramatic twists, turns and reveals. My jaw dropped upon learning Hayley was poisoning Bill, and I loved finding out that Ashley Jones’ Heather was The Impaler. (Who isn’t a sucker a dramatically tossed back hood?) Derek’s death was sad but, truth be told, many (Charlie and I included) never really warmed up to the character or his blah pairing with Ashley.

But overall, the show hasn’t been what you’d call “drama central.” And too often, the big reveals have failed to deliver exciting aftermaths. That drug Hayley’s been slipping her spouse redefines the term “slow-acting,” and so far, Heather is more a delightful tease than the blood-thirsty baddie we were kinda sorta promised.

More: Ashley Jones teases what’s next for The Impaler!

At the end of the day, however, Beyond the Gates remains my current favorite watch. Why? Because I absolutely love hanging out with these characters. I want Anita and Vernon to offer me their wise counsel (when not proving that sex isn’t just a young person’s sport). I live to see church lady Mona trying to save bad boy Randy’s soul (and fleecing Joey at his own poker table). And I love that the residents of Fairmont Crest live in the same world as the rest of us, referencing everything from Chaka Khan to Gizmo the gremlin.

Do I wish the pacing were better? Definitely. Are there a few cast members I wouldn’t mind seeing recast? Without doubt. (And no, I’m not gonna name names!) Despite this, I can absolutely guarantee that come hell or high water, I’ll be perched in front of that screen every dang day at 2 p.m., ready to spend time with the residents of Fairmont Crest.

Share your take on Beyond the Gates in the comment section, then check out the gallery below to see how the show did in the Daytime Emmy nominations… and how we did at predicting who’d walk away with a nod.