| 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" Analysis #23 The convoluted twists and turns of Rafe’s plan set into motion unforeseen consequences which, like the macabre powers of the ring, engender misery and regret. This plan—to get Livvie so insecure she steals Caleb’s ring—is fraught with peril from the start, for, as Rafe should certainly realize from past experience, Livvie is dangerously impulsive, willing to do almost anything to rid herself of a perceived rival, especially Alison. By intensifying Livvie’s insecurity, Rafe, thus, jeopardizes Alison’s safety and risks releasing violent, volatile forces beyond his control. Caleb, on the other hand, harbors no ill will towards Alison and has shown no inclination to use his ring as a weapon. Although he enjoys taunting Alison, playing tricks on her, and deceiving her, he refrains from doing her physical harm and has, on some occasions, protected her. He also refrains from abusing the powers of the ring, having learned the havoc ill-chosen wishes upon it can cause. With the ring in Caleb’s possession, Alison is relatively safe from its potential danger, but if the ring should happen to fall into someone else’s hands, particularly the delusionally jealous hands of Livvie Locke Morley, Alison risks annihilation. |
 |
| Snappies of "The Gift" episodes taken by A. Armstrong |
| Listening in on Jack and Livvie’s conversation, Rafe belatedly realizes the possible harm his plan might bring to Alison. As Jack starts insinuating that Caleb could not help but be attracted to the “beautiful, sweet” Alison, Rafe, in the bar also but unseen by Livvie, telephones Jack, summoning him outside. Once Jack is outside the bar, Rafe angrily accosts him, pushing him aside and accusing him of using Alison “as bait.” Livvie, walking outside, sees Jack and Rafe arguing and concludes that Jack has been conspiring with Rafe on some ruse against her. Quickwittedly, Jack devises a cover for his actions and Rafe’s interference, explaining that Rafe has been trying to warn Jack not to “get mixed up” with Livvie again. When Livvie, still suspicious, calls Jack a “liar,” he assures her that he and Rafe have never been friends. Claiming that he is fed up with Rafe’s meddling, Jack tells the “big bad vampire slayer” to “get lost.” “OK, fine, you do what you want,” Rafe, feigning indignation, lashes back. “It’s your life. You jump off a cliff right back into that black hole, that’s fine, but whatever happens to you now, you deserve it.” Rafe’s warning seems to verify Jack’s cover, thereby leading Livvie to believe that Jack may actually be starting to have feelings for her. However, the warning is merely another ploy, another trick to mislead Livvie. Rafe still has misgivings about Jack’s tactics, fearing that Alison will become a target, but rather than come clean about the ruse he and Jack are perpetrating on Livvie, he continues the deception, leaving Jack to his own devices and returning to the park. With Rafe gone, Jack pretends to be angry at Livvie for doubting his desire to make peace with her. He rages against her and the now-absent Rafe. Brusquely, he turns to leave, but Livvie, grabbing his arm, stops him, and, together, they walk back into the Elixir. “So, what you were saying earlier about me being lovable and stuff, was that a bunch of bull?” she asks, traces of shyness and vulnerability in her voice. “You, you, you! It’s always about you,” he admonishes, then, softening his tone, confides. “Yeah, Livvie, I meant it. And you want to know why? No, it’s not because I’m still hooked up on you. Nothing is going on between us. Nothing will ever be going on between us. I don’t ever even entertain that thought.” |