| "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" #16 (cont.) “Unless you have an extra skirt you want me to model,” he quips, sensing and attempting to ease her worry. “No, that would be wrong because people would be staring at you and not my clothes,” she replies with an awkward smile. The success or failure of her plans for the gym and her hopes for a happy future with Rafe seem to hinge on this fashion show. She was reluctant to have Caleb take part in her show, but, at Rafe’s urging, she agreed to make the most of an unwelcome situation, assuming a pleasant, plucky demeanor all the while fearing the worst. Organizer, manager, and hostess, she takes on the responsibility of overseeing an event she now almost wishes would never take place. “Good luck tonight, Alison. I hope you have a good evening,” Caleb comments as Alison begins walking away to arrange a few last-minute details. “I know I will,” he adds, his expression cunning, ruthlessly focused. |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| Livvie is equally focused on her objective even though it could potentially undermine Caleb’s. Despite her intense, soul-consuming love for Caleb, she places her own needs first. Not trusting in his devotion, she continues to keep secrets from him, thereby sabotaging his trust in her. Returning to Caleb, Livvie lies to him about her mysterious whereabouts and frets about the time. When Caleb, growing rather suspicious, asks her “what’s the rush,” she blames “Alison and her schedule.” “We’ve got to be right on time,” she sneers. “I don’t want her getting all hysterical on me, OK?” |
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| “Right,” Caleb replies with a dubious glance and kisses her. He realizes something is going on with her but he cannot allow himself to lose sight of his goal—regaining the ring and his legacy. |
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| Frantic to keep the show running on time, Livvie storms into the wardrobe area and lashes out at the languidly dawdling models in no hurry to get ready. As they haughtily dismiss her commands, she angrily turns to “Georges,” ordering him to do “something useful, like telling them to get their asses out there and be sure to hit their mark.” Having made herself boss, she then turns to Alison, admonishing her for not being dressed. “Look, there is no reason to obsess over the schedule,” Alison, paradoxically, reminds her. She and Livvie have momentarily shifted roles, with Livvie becoming the control freak she accuses Alison of being. “Everything’s going to be great,” Alison, struggling to convince herself as well as Livvie, asserts. “And it will just get done when it gets done.” Lagging behind schedule, the show eventually begins, and the Stephen Clay Experience, introduced by Lucy, takes the stage. |
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