"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" #12 (cont.)
“So I have a plan now,” he continues. “The Stephen Clay Experience is going to play a brand new song that I’m just putting the finishing touches on . . . I’m going to draw out the holder of the ring, and once I’ve gotten it back, then they are going to pay a heavy price.” He kisses her hands, and they gaze at each other, co-conspirators again happily plotting vengeance. She forgets for the moment that he is seeking a part of his heritage she can never completely share and that the ring, once obtained, may become a source of jealousy, strife, tormenting obsessions.
Snappies of "The Gift" taken by A. Armstrong
As Caleb and Livvie sit at the picnic table, holding hands and planning dark deeds, a picnic involving Lucy, Ian, Kevin, and little Christina is taking place by the river where the ring lies submerged. Ian and Kevin, putting aside their differences for the time being to make Christina happy, have reluctantly accepted her invitation to come to the picnic with her and Lucy. There, guzzling wine and struggling at small talk, the adults watch the little girl enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood. Chasing after a rabbit, Christina approaches the riverbank, where the ring, cast upon the shore, sparkles like an exotic treasure. Ignoring Lucy’s calls to come back from the riverbank, Christina gazes in awe at the glittering object. “So pretty,” she whispers as she holds the ring in the palm of her hand.
Unaware of the ring's sinister past and much too innocent to be seduced by thoughts of worldly power, Christine is entranced only by the uniqueness and lovely golden shimmer. She senses that it is something precious, a magical fairytale object to keep secret from all the grownups around her.
Believing in the miraculous stories of happily ever afters and wishes come true, she does not understand the darker themes encompassing these tales of enchantment. Although the stories may end happily, with a beautiful princess marrying a handsome prince, they often include depictions of cruel, horrific, gruesome acts—sorcery, murder, mutilation, cannibalism. For every happy princess there is a jealous, scheming hag. For every magic wish there is the possibility of a tragic result.
