| "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.) Caleb’s new song, “Give it to me,” creates a vaguely unsettling yet seductive, entrancing mood. “You’re out there somewhere, and you have no choice,” Caleb intones, his voice a harsh whisper. “Because you can’t run from the ringing in your head. It’s the sound of my voice. You think happy news is all pre-arranged. But for every dream, there’s a circle of pain. Now it’s time for you to pay. Give it to me.” The lyrics, spoken rather than sung, are a summoning, a command, soft, almost subliminal. |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| The summoning continues, a low, predatory hum, as the models sashay down the runway. Interspersed amongst the long-limbed, blankly beautiful bevy are Alison’s friends (Jamal and Jack), would-be assassin (Livvie) and clownish celebrity designer (“Georges”). Livvie struts her stuff, wearing short-shorts, which she hastily removes, revealing a bikini as Caleb leers appreciatively. Georges then prances goofily upon the platform, his breakdancing antics eliciting peals of laughter from the delighted crowd. Everything seems to be going smoothly as Alison’s show draws to a close. But Livvie, pacing restlessly backstage, keeps glancing at the clock. It is past 10:00, and Alison, running behind schedule, has not yet said her concluding remarks. |
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| Just as Alison is finally getting ready to go onstage, Kevin suddenly offers to introduce her. Although Alison humbly protests, Kevin insists, and, while Christina, covertly holding the ring, begins making her wish, he walks up to the microphone. “I wish that Daddy could come and live with us again,” Christina whispers. Her child voice is like a butterfly’s wing, setting into motion a breeze that, building momentum, grows into a hurricane. The light fixture, suspended above Kevin’s head, begins to wobble. |
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| Christina’s wish is coming true, but in a way the loving little girl would never have foreseen. Livvie’s murderous plan, designed to rid herself of Alison, is also being set into motion but in a way she never intended. Caleb’s spell is working. The tumult is brewing. The light fixture is falling. Livvie is screaming. And Christina, dropping the ring, is crying for her daddy as the light crashes from the ceiling, landing with crushing force on Kevin. |