| 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": Analysis of "The Gift" Arc of ABC-TV's Port Charles
(c) Alison Armstrong |
| "The Gift" #14 (cont.) “Save it, Livvie,” Jack grimaces. “Save it.” He leaves, his heart troubled by memories of relationships ruined, of romantic illusions destroyed. “Fine,” she sighs in frustration. “Be alone. I tried.” It is unclear why she feels the sudden need to help Jack and patch up things between Reese and him. Is she perhaps worried about her own relationship with Caleb? Does she believe that by making amends with Jack and helping him find happiness in love that she will atone for her sins against him, thereby easing her guilt and fears that she will be punished by losing Caleb? Livvie’s biggest fear is that Caleb will leave her for someone else, namely, her number one rival, Alison. Caleb’s plan to perform at Alison’s fashion show is intensifying Livvie’s paranoia and jealousy. Although she tries not to anger Caleb by nagging about Alison, Livvie is seething with anxiety about the plan. Jack’s taunts unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. Livvie does not realize that Alison is also nervous about Caleb’s plan. To try to stop the performance before it can even start, Alison, assuming her prissiest, bossiest, most annoying demeanor, arrives at Caleb’s loft and starts issuing her scheduling demands. Alison antagonizes the band members, especially Reese, by insisting that the group arrive early and even suggesting that she approve their outfits beforehand, telling them what they can and cannot wear. When Reese reminds her that Caleb is "the boss," Alison arrogantly proclaims that she is "the boss for this particular show, so if Caleb doesn't like it, then that's just fine." "And I don't like it," Caleb, entering the apartment, mutters sternly. "Tell me again, Alison, about how I'm not in charge?" |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| "Look, I mean it, every single word of it," Alison defiantly asserts. "I am in charge of this fashion show. . . . If you don't like it, by all means, you are more than welcome to back out now." "All right, Alison," Caleb unepectedly replies, his voice softening. "Like you said, it's your gig." As his band protests, he informs them that "it's Alison's deal" and he would like them all to "try and cooperate." Sulkily, Reese, Ricky, and Caz exit the room, leaving Alison and Caleb, temporarily band-less, to discuss the terms of their agreement. "Let me get this straight-I call the shots?" Alison skeptically reiterates. "Someone who always feels the need to be in control suddenly isn't. Why is that?" "I'm just here, Alison, to play the tunes," he responds with a sly, smarmy grin. "Right," she sneers. "And part of my job is to figure out every single piece of the show that could go wrong. So just between you and me, what is it that you really have planned?" "You're right, Alison, you got me," he confides with a grin and straps on his guitar. "I do have an agenda for playing the fashion show. . . Rafe's going to owe me one." Despite Alison's demands to know what his real "agenda" is, Caleb does not elaborate any further. Instead, shifting the topic, he calls in the band to take a look at the schedule. "Let's try to be on time tomorrow. We don't want to mess with the schedule," he informs in a rather sarcastic tone, and, giving Reese a kiss, dismisses his group. |