| "The Gift": Analysis of "The Gift" Arc of ABC-TV's Port Charles
(c) Alison Armstrong |
| An analysis of the "The Gift" episodes of the show Port Charles, formerly of ABC-TV. This site will focus on the scenes featuring the vampire character Caleb Morley/Stephen Clay (portrayed by actor Michael Easton). The character of Caleb Morley/Stephen Clay 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. |
| "The Gift" #10 (cont.) Nevertheless, Caleb, knowing the truth and fearing for Livvie’s life, yields to Rafe’s threats. Caleb releases Jamal, and Rafe reciprocates by releasing Livvie. “You shouldn’t have let him go,” Livvie, rushing to Caleb, murmurs after Caleb angrily orders everyone else to leave. “He wouldn’t have hurt me,” she rather boastfully asserts. “I couldn’t take that risk,” Caleb says, caressing her. He perhaps knows better than she what Rafe is capable of and is not so recklessly sure of the Slayer’s professed goodness. “Besides, killing Jamal doesn’t solve our real problem. . . . I’ve been going about this all wrong,” he confides with a self-admonishing snarl, “just sitting and waiting for that ring to fall back into my hands.” |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| “You have power. Isn’t there something you can do to speed things along?” she asks.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that,” he responds, a trace of apprehension in his voice. “But I can’t do it from here. I have to go home.” “OK, that’s fine, I’ll go with you,” she agrees, not comprehending what Caleb means when he refers to “home.” “No, Sweetheart,” he replies with a sick, sad smile. “Not back to the loft. Where I’m going, you can’t come. Nobody can.” |
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| Caleb grimly contemplates the journey he must take, the task he must complete, in order to discover the secret to regaining the ring. He, unlike Jamal and Jack, realizes that the possession of great power brings great danger. To wield the magic of gods, one must risk one’s life and soul. Whereas Jamal and Jack childishly play with forces they cannot understand, Caleb alone knows the peril of such ignorance. |
| Even though he has only had the ring for a very short time, Jack has already (somewhat unintentionally) used it as a way of manipulating someone else in order to better accommodate his needs. Having tired of his girlfriend Reese’s increasing dependence on him, Jack expresses a wish to have her not be so emotionally attached to him. Jack does not seem to know his wish can actually be heard and granted by the ring. He merely utters to himself (in the presence of the ring) that he would like Reese to become interested in something (or someone) else besides him. As a result of his wish, Reese suddenly decides that she no longer wishes to spend the night at Jack’s house. Her desire for Jack has dimmed, to be replaced by a rapidly growing ardor for the band’s drummer, Ricky. In trying so hard to keep the ring away from Caleb, Rafe has enabled it to be used by those unaware of its potentially disastrous power. Rafe’s obsession with Caleb and the ring has also jeopardized his relationship with Alison. Although he has won a battle with Caleb, thereby saving Jamal, he has undermined Alison’s desire for a contented, peaceful, “normal” future. Alison has warned Rafe that in order to build the kind of life together they had dreamed of having and, with the new gym opening, are about to create, he must “stop playing chicken with Caleb,” stop the persistent macho challenges and battles. “Choose me, for once,” she has urged, and Rafe, surrendering to her love, has pledged his undying devotion. But a part of him thrills to the summons of his Slayer destiny, a heritage and legacy he cannot deny or ignore. Rafe and Caleb share the burdens of their lineage, the promises and obligations passed from father to son, Kovich to Kovich, Morley to Morley. To honor those who gave them life, they believe they must fulfill the role fate assigned to them even though doing so may end up costing them those they love the most. |