| "Tempted": Allure and Menace in Port Charles' "Tempted,"An Analysis (c) by Alison Armstrong |
| “Tempted” Episodes 5-6
As his disembodied spirit gathers sustenance from the mental and emotional torment of his victims, Caleb begins to draw Livvie to him, needing her desire, anger, and impulsive, defiant will to become flesh. Lured by his incessant voice, Livvie, as before, abandons Jack and follows Caleb’s summons. Arriving at his cave, she channels all of her violently conflicting emotions into a tantrum against her former lover, calling to him, cursing him, damning him, taunting him. “You don’t control me anymore, Caleb,” she scolds. “I’m not Olivia. I’m Livvie. I’m the one who’s challenging you this time. Come out and show yourself, damn you! Now, Caleb. Now!” His embittered bride, his nemesis and his soul mate, she walks through labyrinthine caverns where she and Caleb once danced by candle light, the flame and darkness conjuring feral passion; she searches by stark flashlight flare for the one she reviles yet cannot resist. The catacombs, once strewn with sumptuous pillows and silken tapestries, are now barren and dismal. “Where are you, you bastard?” she demands. “I will never love you of my own free will. Not now! I want you gone, out of my life forever, out of my sight, out of my head.” Although her words seethe with bitterness and reproach, her desire and insatiable curiosity draw her ever close to the symbols of his irresistible power—his music box and bat ring. Like Pandora, she heedlessly opens the box of chaos and undoing, releasing the wind and light, the breath and spark that animate his spirit. He is the torrent that blows through her hair, clawing and possessing. He is the glint of gold that compels her greed. He is the keeper and master of this ring that lures and corrupts those who foolishly covet its power. He is the serpent whose soothing, seductive voice brings knowledge and the venomous awareness of one’s inner darkness. “Olivia, my Sweet,” Caleb’s voice murmurs. “You came back to me. As if you could ever stay away.” Closing the music box and fleeing the dangerous secrets she sought, Livvie heads towards the park. Although warned, like Little Red Riding Hood, about the perils lurking in the dark woods beyond, Livvie disregards the advice of a man who urges her to beware of a menacing stranger, and she proceeds to sit on a park bench, as if daring attack. Telling herself that Caleb’s voice, the ring, and the music box are figments of her disordered imagination, Livvie does not want to believe that the snake, coiling in the grass beside her, is real. "Oh, God. Please be in my head,” she pleads, as the snake bites her leg. |
| 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. |
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| Snappies of "Tempted" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |