| "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" Analysis #19 Refused the help she demanded from Caleb, forced to deal with the tragic results of her malevolent scheme, Livvie selfishly seeks comfort from the very person whose life she endangered—her wounded father, Kevin. To his bedside, she comes in search of the unconditional love she feels Caleb has suddenly denied her. Now that Caleb has refused to use his magic ring to make everything all better for her, she wants her daddy to console her grief and absolve her guilt. Kevin, meanwhile, struggles to find emotional strength as he copes with the devastating news that he might be permanently paralyzed. Helpless, unable to move, he, nevertheless, tries to comfort his little daughter Christina, who had been traumatized by the sight of her father’s “accident.” Because of her love-- innocent, pure, steadfast—Christina had made the wish for her father and mother to live together, the wish that, along with Livvie’s malicious plot-- had crippled him. Now, it is through her love he gains the strength to deal with his grim affliction. She begs her mommy, Lucy, to let Kevin come live with them, realizing perhaps in her childhood wisdom that she can help make her wish come true in a way that can actually heal her daddy. She wants her family happy again; she wants her blissful fairytale ending. Wanting to please her daughter and wanting to make things better for her former husband, the man she once loved and is now beginning to trust once more, Lucy agrees with Christina that Kevin should move in with them. Although Ian is upset about the prospect of Lucy and Kevin sharing a home together again, he, as a doctor, reluctantly agrees that it is the right choice. But Kevin has not yet accepted Lucy’s offer. He fears losing what is left of his independence, becoming a burden, an object of pity. Livvie, unlike her “sister,” Christina, has an ulterior motive for visiting Kevin. Her love, unlike Christina’s, is selfish, demanding. Despite her grief and worry about her father, Livvie is hoping to gain something as a result of her visit. She needs the solace and parental devotion only her father can give. Caleb’s words haunt her thoughts: “You tried to set Alison up. Your father got in the way. . . . You did this to him.” She keeps seeing the look of scorn in Caleb’s eyes, the chilling glance that made her feel as if she had been judged unworthy of Caleb’s love. |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| Although she had not meant to hurt her father, she had let her hatred for Alison drive her into an act that resulted in his injury. Caleb was right—she is to blame for the falling light fixture. But she tries to evade her guilt—after all, Alison was supposed to be on that stage, not her father. She suppresses the feeble pricklings of her withered conscience, and, visiting her father at the hospital, assumes a Pollyannaish pose. With false cheer, she reminds him that things “could have been a lot worse” and that there is “so much” he can still do, his “painting, for starters.” Kevin, however, rejects her saccharine sentiments. “Yeah, I guess it could be worse,” he sarcastically observes. “I could have been killed. I mean, that would be considered worse than the prospect of spending the rest of my life in a wheelchair. But hey, the jury’s still out.” He also points out that since he is left-handed and his injury has affected his left hand, he can no longer even paint. “I want to help you. Daddy, I will,” she emphatically insists. “I’m so sorry.” “Honey, it’s not your fault. I’m going to be OK,” he soothes, as if regretting his bitter, cynical complaints and reverting to the comfortingly optimistic fatherly approach he had used with Christina. “Yes, you will,” she almost chirps. “Because I am going to help you get better. In fact, before you check out of here, I’m going to have you all moved in.” “Moved in?” Kevin echoes, his voice wary. “Yeah,” she glows. “You’re going to come live with me and Caleb. Daddy, we’ll take care of you.” |