| An analysis of the "Tainted Love" episodes of the show "Port Charles," formerly of ABC-TV. This site will focus on the scenes featuring the vampire character Caleb Morley (portrayed by actor Michael Easton). The character of Caleb Morley 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. |
| "Caleb, please," Livvie pleads, shrinking from the truth she knows inside. "Time to grow up, Livvie," Caleb says, more firmly now. "It's time." He begins to kiss her. "Let yourself go." His lips caress her neck. "It feels . . . It feels . . . " Livvie gasps. "Like you never want it to end." Caleb continues. "Just forget about everything. Forget about what everybody says. Forget about Jack." He encircles her, his lips on her neck. "No," Livvie cries, breaking free. "I love Jack. Caleb, this isn't right." "I won't force you," Caleb says, licking his lips. "I want you to come to me willingly without doubt . . . without the thought of any other man in your mind. And I'll accept nothing less than all of you. Body and soul. A complete surrender." Livvie looks at him sadly, placatingly. "But you're asking too much of me," she pleads. "For now," Caleb admits. "It's not time yet. You're not ready." But I'm willing to wait," he vows, "Willing to wait for that perfect moment. Because it will come . . . as surely as you came here tonight." "I. . .I should probably go home now," Livvie says hesitantly. "Yes, you should," Caleb agrees, walking away towards his bed. "So you want me to go home?" Livvie asks, puzzled at this dismissal. "It's not yet the time," Caleb reminds her. "All right then. I'll do as you say," Livvie says, leaving the cave. With these words, as in the later Port Charles arcs, Livvie relinquishes responsibility for her decisions, acting as if she is only doing what Caleb wants when in actuality she is torn by conflicting impulses and takes the easy way out by letting him make the choice for her. As she walks out of the cave, Caleb sprawls out on the silk pillows, basking in his sexual confidence and knowledge that Livvie, like all the other women, is unable to resist him for long. Although this seems as if it should be the end of this episode, after we have seen Caleb relaxing in the cave, another scene begins to unfold. While Gabby, back at work in the hospital, spies Jamal stealing blood for Jack, the man who had been attacked by Gabby is complaining to some unseen listener about his encounter with a troublesome tease of a woman who bites him amorously and then suddenly acts like a "cold fish." "Real piece of work, huh," a man's voice replies. "A woman like that can really shorten your life." As the camera pans over to the bar, we see that it's Caleb, back from the cave, drinking dark red wine at the bar. His elegance, class, and beauty are a stunning contrast to the lowlife slobs who frequent this ramshackle tavern. "I happen to know a place where the ladies are a lot more friendly," Caleb notes. "You interested?" Accepting his offer, the man allows Caleb to pay the tab while Caleb slyly remarks to himself that the man's night "is about to get a whole lot worse." |
| As the episode ends, Livvie is back in Jack's room, thinking of Caleb and inadvertently blurting out his name when Jack opens the door. It is evident from this little slip of the tongue that Livvie, just like Gabby, just like those of us marked forever by his presence, is unable to get the mysterious, seductive, mesmerizing Caleb out of her mind and heart. |
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| "Tainted Love" Diary 30 (c) by Alison Armstrong |
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| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |