| "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" #17 (cont.) “Yeah, I noticed that. I noticed you’re pretty upset, too, but it has nothing to do with Kevin,” Rafe goads. “Whatever,” Caleb shrugs, trying to ignore Rafe’s sly insinuations. “I just want to go.” |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| “By the way, I really liked your new song,” Rafe adds just as Caleb begins to walk away. “Yeah, it’s too bad it didn’t bring in the prize. . . . Did you really think that would work? I mean, you know, whoever had the ring would be so mesmerized by your voice that they would just walk forward like a zombie and just hand it over to you?” “Oh, ye of such little faith,” Caleb sneers, the Biblical quote a mocking reminder of his priestly alter-ego, “Father Michael.” “I can be very persuasive. . . . Might have happened if circumstances had been different.” “Yeah, well, it wouldn’t have happened on my watch,” Rafe boasts. “Well, we’ll never know, will we?” Caleb sniffs disdainfully. “But, hey, tomorrow’s a new day.” |
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| “Yeah, when are you going to let it go?” Rafe retorts. “When are you?” Caleb challenges, cutting through Rafe’s holier-than-thou arrogance and exposing the ruthless obsession both of them share, the obsession with control, as represented by the ring. Although he hates to admit it, Rafe seeks the ring with the same merciless determination that Caleb does. He seeks to possess it so that he can keep it and the power it holds away from Caleb. It is a trophy, a symbol of triumph and mastery. Rafe perceives himself as a virtuous, almost knight-like defender of everything holy and moral, Caleb’s opposite in the continuing war between good and evil, but Caleb’s remark causes him, at least momentarily, to doubt this perception, to see traces of the similarities both he and Caleb hate to acknowledge. Angered by Caleb’s realization and his own brief moment of self-awareness, Rafe suddenly drops his snide, smirking tone and impatiently orders Caleb to “get out of here now.” “Or what?” Caleb defies. “When did you become so big on ultimatums?” “You know what?” Rafe pouts. “I don’t need an ultimatum. This is my place. Now get the hell out of here.” “Yeah,” Caleb mutters, sniffing in disgust as if smelling the stagnant sanctimoniousness of his opponent, the stench of idealism gone sour. “You’re not worth it. Not tonight. I will find it. It’s just a matter of time.” Fuming with petulant fury, Rafe heads towards the hospital, where Livvie, despite Alison’s kind-hearted attempts at friendly reassurance, has requested to be left alone. While Livvie broods about her scheme gone disastrously wrong, Rafe approaches her, and like Alison, offers assistance if there is anything she needs. But whereas Alison is genuinely concerned about Livvie, Rafe seems more concerned with doing the “right” thing by her. His offer of help is a formality, motivated probably as a way of showing solidarity with Alison and making Alison (rather than Livvie) feel better. |