| "Tainted Love" Diary 46 (c) Alison Armstrong |
| ******************************************************** Jealousy and anger predominate in the next episode, revolving around the disruption both of Caleb's aspects (vampire and priest) are creating between loved ones and families in Port Charles. In Gabby's life Caleb has caused her to lose the closeness she used to feel with her family. Still striving to gain Caleb's acceptance and love, she tries once again to bite Jamal, but without success. Taking her frustrations out on Emilio (whom she was raised to think was her brother), she taps into her newly awakened dark nature and attacks him after he calls her a "little whore" for placing her need for Caleb above her familial obligations. Gashing Emilio's throat and drinking his blood, Gabby obtains the release of anger and self- assertion she may have suppressed all those years she was being the dutiful, good-girl daughter and sister in her family. With Livvie, as with Gabby, Caleb has come between her and her relationship with her family. He is also on his way to destroying the love she has for Jack. As Lucy and Kevin argue over how to keep Livvie safe from Caleb, Livvie and Jack quarrel over Caleb, with Livvie refusing to believe Jack's claims that Caleb is a vampire. Calling the whole idea of drinking blood "disgusting" and "sick," she orders Jack to get out and leave her alone. Hurt by Livvie's remarks and probably too much of a hypocrite to confess that he also must drink blood, Jack keeps his vampirism a secret from Livvie while trying to depict Caleb as a monster. The major emphasis of this episode, however, is on the disrupting influence of Father Michael on Eve and Ian's marriage. As Ian walks into the apartment, carrying a bouquet of flowers, he sees Eve and Michael hugging. "Don't let me interrupt," he says coldly, glaring at Michael. "You missed out on all the excitement here," Michael says nervously, seemingly unaware of the way his choice of word "excitement" may be interpreted by a man who has just witnessed his wife embracing a potential rival. "Did I?" Ian asks in a cynical tone. Eve then tells Ian that Caleb came to the apartment after hurting Michael and "wouldn't leave." When Eve leaves moments later, Ian angrily confronts Michael. "Well, Father," Ian says rather ominously, his words polite and calm, but his face clenched with barely controlled rage. "You don't need to say another word, Ian" Michael replies hesitantly, trying to defuse Ian's hostility. "I know what you're thinking." "Well, I doubt that," Ian growls as Michael looks embarrassed and guilty, his collar still torn, his hair disheveled. "If you knew what I was thinking you wouldn't be looking at me like everything was all right with the world. You have no idea what I'm thinking." |
| 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. |
| In this confrontation with Michael, Ian expresses some of the unease we may feel at times regarding priests and nuns, the sense that there is something uncanny and unsettling about those who choose celibacy and live apart from ordinary human bonds. We may wonder if they are truly what they seem or if they harbor a secret sadness alienating them from others. In both of his aspects, priest and vampire, Michael/Caleb lives a solitary existence on the fringes of society, unable to fully connect, an outsider looking in, observing without participating. But despite Ian's suspicions that Michael is not what he seems, Michael believes in his own fiction; he sees himself as a priest and truly seems to love Eve in a way unlike Caleb's passionate soul-craving for Livvie or lustful, selfish dalliances with Gabby. |
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| "I had you checked out," Ian then abruptly informs Michael. "And if you're waiting for an apology it's not coming. The church didn't assign you to work at that monastery. You volunteered for it. And you volunteered for it because you needed a place to house your madman brother. Am I right so far?" Nodding in agreement, Michael tries to explain his sense of responsibility towards Caleb. "My brother's seriously ill. But for better or worse I'm the one that's been looking after him all these years. I've always protected Caleb. And the world's been protected from him. Until now." Michael affirms, however, that he would never allow anything to happen to Eve and vows that he would give his life, if needed, to defend her. Angrily, Ian interrupts Michael. "It's not your job," he yells. "It's not your wife and child in harm's way because of your brother. It's mine. It's my family." Admitting that he appreciates all Michael has done in the past, Ian agrees that Michael is "a man of God" and would "never intentionally hurt Eve." However, Ian points out that Michael brought all his "troubles" to town with him, and, therefore, to keep Eve and the baby safe, Michael must leave town immediately. When Eve returns to the room, Michael tries to cover up for Ian, and making the excuse that there's a soul he's "been meaning to save," Michael says he must go. But Ian tells Eve the truth, and Michael agrees that it would better for everyone concerned if he left. As Michael walks out the door, Eve runs after him, pleading for him to reconsider, but Michael won't be swayed. Placing his hand near her breasts, Michael looks at the medallion he gave her for protection and asks her to promise that she will always wear it. His gesture of tenderness, tinged with gentle sensuality, seems to stir Eve's affection, and she suddenly, impetuously, kisses him. Nervously swallowing and licking his lips, Michael says goodbye as both fight their tears, tension, regret, and sadness lingering between them. With Michael's departure, Caleb resurfaces, making his appearance on the roof of Kevin's house, where Livvie is standing, watching Jack from above. "Evening, Olivia," Caleb says casually, as if he's in the habit of meeting people on roofs. "Nice night." A majestic, godlike presence against the night sky, he seems to represent the freedom and wildness Livvie's family tries to suppress. Echoing the theme of family hostility that recurs throughout this episode, the scene concludes as Jack is suddenly shot by his brother Chris with a tranquilizer gun. Like Livvie by her father and Caleb by his "brother," Jack is restricted and controlled, his desires tethered for reasons of safety and stability. |
| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |