| "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" #6 (cont.) “Hey, hey, hey, no!” Livvie protests, upset that Alison is using the apology attempt to remind Livvie of all the pain she has caused. “You did plenty to me. I’m just not a petty little snot like you. I’m trying to figure out a way we can both live in this town and still get along, OK?” “That’s never exactly been my problem. That’s been your problem, so can we just get on with it, OK?” Alison chides her. “Right, I bare my heart and soul to you, and all I get is an OK,” Livvie pouts. “What exactly do you want from me, huh?” Alison demands. “Do you want me to give you a medal or something? Because the last time I looked the Nobel Peace Prize didn’t have your name on it.” “Very funny, Alison,” Livvie remarks sullenly. “But OK doesn’t cut it. . . . I want a little compassion here. . . . I’m a human being, Alison.” “No, you’re not anymore,” Alison snarls, unappeased.. “You’re a slut who isn’t happy if there’s anybody in this world who’s happier than you.” “Oh, boy, you pretend to be Little Miss Perfect, when, in reality, you don’t have a sincere bone in your body,” Livvie lashes back, dropping her apologetic act . “Look, I never pretended,” Alison responds. “But at least I don’t run around hurting people’s feelings on purpose.” Now that Livvie is no longer feigning contrition, Alison is no longer resorting to sarcasm. Both are finally expressing their true feelings of anger and vulnerability. So intent are they on their insult-flinging that they barely notice Jamal’s sudden entrance. Staring at his former girlfriend and her former best friend, Jamal is appalled by their mean-spirited, juvenile antics. Rafe had told him about the truce with Caleb and had been pestering him with inquiries and speculations regarding the whereabouts of the ring. Wanting to keep his possession of the ring a secret, Jamal had responded with questions of his own. What if one of the “good guys” obtains control of the ring, Jamal had asked, no doubt indirectly referring to himself. “I don’t know,” Rafe had replied. “Maybe they wouldn’t stay a good guy.” Jamal is beginning to question the effects the ring may have on the people influenced by its magic as well as its possessor. Is its power neutral or does its sinister history as a Morley heirloom render it intrinsically evil, corrupting those who use it? “Oh, poor you!” Livvie jeers at Alison while Jamal looks on in dismay. “No, you wouldn’t hurt a fly. No, not you. You should be sorry for being a manipulating, man-stealing bitch!” “Man-stealing! OK, you’re really going to be sorry that you came here today,” Alison threatens. Paint dripping, tempers raging, they glare at each other, ignoring Jamal’s advice to “cut it out” and stop fighting. Using him as audience, each accuses the other of causing the argument. “OK, look, would you stop?” Jamal scolds, annoyed by their childish, petulant behavior. “There’s enough going on here in Port Charles for you two to start this again.” His sobering remark temporarily quiets the bickering, with the two women begrudgingly agreeing to “just stay out of each other’s way,” but no sooner has a ceasefire been established than it is interrupted by the arrival of Imani, who has come to ask Alison about the ad placed for the apartment rental next door. While Jamal takes Imani with him to show her the apartment, Livvie and Alison resume their spat. Predictably, the argument eventually turns into a paint fight, the two women, like squabbling, mischievous little girls, splattering each other with paint and then laughing. For a few moments the lethal seriousness of their antagonistic relationship has nearly been forgotten as they vent their anger harmlessly, using the paint as a weapon. Their fight appears almost playful. |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |