| "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" #5 (cont.) “Maybe Olivia’s not the only one who is jealous,” Caleb chides. |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| “Oh, no, no, no,” Rafe insists. “I’m not jealous. I’m worried. See, Livvie’s insecurity is its own kind of monster. Every time your eye wanders a little bit, your . . . your little wife gets a little crazy, and that puts Alison in danger.”
“I have no problem staying away from Alison. See if she can stay away from me,” Caleb insinuates, implying that Alison finds him irresistible. |
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| “I am sure Alison will manage to get along without your so-called friendship,” Rafe sarcastically replies.
“Yeah? Tell you what—forbid Alison to talk to me. That’s a little conversation I’d buy a ticket to,” Caleb jeers. “Do we have a deal or what?” Rafe, uncomfortable with Caleb’s remarks, gruffly demands. Agreeing to a truce, Caleb and Rafe shake hands. But even though both men have decided to end the battling between them, in order for their ceasefire to work, Livvie and Alison must also stop fighting. Neither Caleb nor Rafe can force the two women to get along or even stay out of each other’s way, for, as Caleb observes seconds after the truce has been called, coercion brings resistance. “Forbid someone to do something, especially a woman, and that becomes the only thing they want,” Caleb warns, knowing from personal experience that his commands to leave Alison alone have only made Livvie more stubborn and jealous concerning her imagined rival. He, like Livvie, is equally defiant when it comes to threats and ultimatums, refusing to be told what he should not do and whom he should not befriend. |
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| “Thanks, I appreciate that,” Rafe says, his sarcasm again very evident. “But, you know what, you’ve got enough problems of your own. Speaking of which, I hope you and that insane person who used to call herself my wife, by the way, have a wonderful eternity together.”
“And I hope you and the blonde are happy for that blink of an instant that you call a lifetime,” Caleb says with a smirk. “So, it’s settled,” Rafe concludes. “Me and Alison, you and Olivia, and never the twain shall meet.” As the men agree to stop interfering in each other’s lives, Livvie is on her way towards Alison. Conflicting emotions gnaw at her—remnants of the loving friendship she once had for Alison menaced by icy waves of hatred and jealousy. Alison is a reminder of the sweet, virtuous person Livvie once was before Caleb, drawn to her innocence, changed everything forever. Alison retains the sweetness and virtue Livvie has lost and, thereby, presents a threat to Livvie’s relationship with Caleb. Fearing the loss of Caleb’s love, Livvie seems to feel that the way to “let go” of her obsession with Alison is to try to make amends with her or, at least, to convince Caleb that she has. |