| "Tainted Love" Diary 63 (c) 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. |
| Leaving Livvie with her fantasy-perfect mother, Caleb goes to the monastery and confronts his illusory brother. But whereas Livvie's magically restored mother is a nurturing, reassuring vision fulfilling Livvie's wish for a loving family, Caleb's "brother" is a punitive projection of self-hatred, thwarting Caleb's most fervent desires. At the monastery Michael is praying for guidance. "Take this burden from me, please," he implores. "I love her. But help me walk away from her." "Walk away from Eve, you mean," Caleb, sitting in a pew, suddenly remarks. "Caleb," Michael sighs wearily. "Did you miss me?" Caleb smirks, stretching out on the pew as if he owned it. |
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| "What have you done with this girl you've taken? Have you turned her into you already? Is that why you're here--to gloat?" Michael asks in a sad, worried voice. "Oh, whoa, whoa, slow down," Caleb says, smiling. "Answer me," Michael commands. "Your wish is my command," Caleb responds calmly, standing up. "In order of importance--let's see--have I turned her yet? No. Yes, I did come to gloat. And as for telling you where she is, are you kidding me?" "You won't get away with it," Michael threatens. "Guess again," Caleb boasts. |
| "They were here. Her family found your little shrine to your last prospective bride," Michael informs him. At these words, Caleb's smirking, swaggering self-confidence suddenly falters. "They had no right to touch her," he snarls, his expression desperate, haunted. "I'll kill them all, and then I'll find a better place for her." |
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| "Too late," Michael replies. "I already gave her a proper burial." "That wasn't your decision to make!" Caleb yells. As in his confrontation with Michael regarding Olivia's wedding dress, Caleb reacts protectively, worshipfully towards Olivia's relics. |
| "Well, I made it. Should I dig another grave for your new bride? Maybe we should be prepared this time," he remarks with uncharacteristic sarcasm, a bit of Caleb's cruelly clever wit seeping through the priestly mask. "This one's different, Michael," Caleb insists. "'This one'. Is that what you call her, Caleb? 'This one?'" Michael adds with some more sarcasm. "She knows who I am and she doesn't care," Caleb replies, with a nervous smile as he tries to regain his confidence. "She didn't turn away. She wants all the gifts I have to offer." "What do you want, Caleb? Michael asks pointedly. |
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| "You," Caleb says, licking his lips. "Today's the wedding, Michael, and I want you to be my best man." Although smiling rather sarcastically, Caleb here reveals some of his loneliness and vulnerability. Like Livvie, he wants a family member at the wedding; he wants to feel loved and accepted. Even though his Michael aspect seems to exist mainly as a source of self-reproaching repression, Caleb may also have created "Michael" as a way to feel less alienated and desolate, to bring to life within himself a brother which may or may not have existed at one time. "Today?" Michael repeats. "Oh. Don't tell me you have plans?" Caleb teases. "Caleb, don't do this," Michael urges. "You can't rewrite history. Olivia's gone. You can't replace her." "I already have. It's too late, Michael," Caleb tells him. "Never. It's never too late," Michael pleads. "Oh, come on, Mikey," Caleb exclaims, his hands to his head in mock frustration. "What's it going to be? Are you in? Are you out? I got a ton of things to do before the ceremony. Should I arrange for your tux or what?" |
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| "I'd rather rot in hell," Michael hisses. "I can arrange that too," Caleb smiles. |
| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
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