| "Tempted": Allure and Menace in Port Charles' "Tempted,"An Analysis (c) by Alison Armstrong |
| An analysis of the "Tempted" episodes of the show "Port Charles," formerly of ABC-TV. This site will focus on the scenes featuring the vampire character Caleb Morley (portrayed by actor Michael Easton). The character of Caleb Morley and any other characters relating to Port Charles are the property of ABC and their creators. This is a fan-run site and is not an official site, nor is it affiliated in any way with ABC, Port Charles, or the actors portraying any of the Port Charles characters. No copyright infringement is intended. The writings on this site are copyrighted by the author, Alison Armstrong, and may not be reproduced without the author's express permission. |
| "Tempted" Episodes 28-29 (cont.) Caleb offers Livvie an earthly salvation, a paradise of eternal love, a comfort and nurturance similar in many ways to the divine rapture offered the Christian devout, a love healing all pain and loss, but it, as in the Christian concept of salvation, requires sacrifice, surrender. To let the bliss flow over you, you must renounce a part of your previous self, embrace the new life and let it guide you, like an inner voice. Hers is the ecstasy, the carnal immortality and rapture beyond compare, but to receive it, she must give herself completely, forsaking Jack and all her previous ties. “I know that sometimes that’s hard for you to comprehend,” he murmurs. “You’ve been hurt so many times. People have disappointed you—your mother, Jack.” Caleb understands Livvie’s pain and disappointment because, like her, he has been rejected, abandoned, cast aside. “They all leave me,” she says mournfully, grabbing his hand. |
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| “But I won’t,” he vows. “I will be there as long as you want me, as long as you’ll allow me to be. So, you see, the decision is yours, Olivia. You can be alone in the cold, harsh world of these people, or you can have love, starting right now, that will be everlasting.” |
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| Caleb’s words are so tender and nurturing that we may almost ignore the not-so-gentle ultimatum. Like a preacher, he tempts with the vision of bliss, but warns that this is only possible if you make a fateful decision—continue in your present ways and face desolation or accept the path of salvation and receive unending love beyond human possibility. Caleb’s offer is reminiscent in some ways to Rafe’s in the preceding episode. Rafe promised Caleb eternal peace and salvation, an end to suffering, and now Caleb is promising Livvie eternal ecstasy and immortality, an end to loneliness and disappointment. But both promises contain a threat that if you do not accept what is offered you will be miserable and unloved. “I don’t want to be alone, Caleb,” Livvie tearfully admits. “I can’t be alone.” She snuggles next to Caleb, his head on his chest, her hand on his. “You don’t have to be,” Caleb soothes, holding and caressing her.” “Not anymore." |
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| Snappies of "Tempted" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |