| "Tainted Love" Diary 41 (c) by Alison Armstrong |
| 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. |
"Let me make it up to you," Gabby pleads, trying to appease and entice him by loosening her black silk robe and baring her neck. "I'll do anything you ask." Caleb gazes at her, glancing up and down, his face a mixture of anger, disappointment, and petulance. "You sure you didn't fail deliberately?" he asks. "Because you knew turning Jamal would make me closer to Olivia?" |
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| "No," Gabby insists. "I admit I want to be the only one. What woman
doesn't? But I understand why Olivia's so important to you and the
family. And to the family you want to start." Her voice and face
betray a hint of bitterness and jealousy, as once again she is forced to acknowledge she can never be to Caleb more than a tool, a plaything, a pet. Caleb nods in masterly approval. "You get me closer to Olivia and you'll always be one of my favorites." "I'll help you," Gabby begs. "Just say you'll forgive me." Caleb's stern expression shifts to a slight, hesitant smile and his voice becomes huskier as desire stirs within him. "I've always been a sucker for a pretty throat," he admits, placing his hands around her neck, a caress but also a warning of his godlike power to bestow either ecstasy or death. |
| "But if you screw up one more time . . ." He raises his finger in reprimand. |
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| "Show me you forgive me," Gabby pants. "Show me." She moans in rapture as he buries his face in her neck, kissing her throat, nibbling at her ears, sucking suggestively on her fingers. Then, as before, he uses her sharp fingernails to make a scratch in his wrist so she can feed. He closes his eyes and breathes heavily as desire begins to overtake him. However, this time, unlike his first meeting with Gabby, he is much more guarded, more reluctant to let go of his control. He shivers with excitement, but instead of opening himself up to pleasure, he seems to resist the release his body craves. It's as if by giving Gabby a bit of his precious blood, he is giving up some of his power, succumbing ever so slightly to his need for her. By letting her suck from him, he is surrendering part of himself. As always, this scene leaves us wanting more, wondering what other sensual frenzies Caleb and Gabby experienced as they consumed and ravished each other. |
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| Much too soon, however, the scene ends and the next we see of Caleb he is walking in the alley. Suddenly, his brisk stride is interrupted and Caleb remarks "You again, huh? I'm going to start insisting you wear a bell." |
| "Get used to seeing a lot of me," Michael answers. "You're really starting to cramp my style, Bro," Caleb complains. "How did you find me this time?" "You'll never be far from me, Caleb," Michael vows. "I'll keep tabs on you--whether you like it or not." "OK, fine," Caleb replies. "I love an audience . . . What a minute. Shouldn't you be on your knees somewhere?" (With this remark, Caleb once again mocks Michael's faith and even seems to give a slight sexual connotation to his words. By mentioning "audience," he also hints at exhibitionism, another of Caleb's idiosyncratic, fascinating quirks recurring periodically throughout Caleb's story.) "I'm not going to let you ruin any more lives," Michael warns him. "Even if I have to follow you the rest of your life." "You controlled me once," Caleb responds. "Those days are over. I'm finally stronger than you, and if you challenge me I promise you it will be the biggest mistake of your life." As this episode concludes, we are left with intriguing, unanswered questions. How did Michael control Caleb? How did Caleb become stronger? For how long had Caleb been battling his vampire nature? The answers to these mysteries will be unfortunately never be revealed now that Port Charles has been cancelled. However, these questions remain as fascinating remnants of a character who will continually stir our imagination as we explore the dualities and contradictions within us all. |
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| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
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