| "Tempted": Allure and Menace in Port Charles' "Tempted,"An Analysis (c) by Alison Armstrong |
| An analysis of the "Tempted" 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. |
| "Tempted" Episodes 25-27 (cont.) “One I volunteered for,” Rafe acknowledges. “Stupid and dead,” Caleb remarks, summing up his opinion of Rafe’s angelic ambitions. “You of all people should know that every slayer that’s come up against me has fallen.” “That was then,” Rafe bristles. “And this is now, and now is all there is,” Caleb replies, offering his practical, carnal wisdom in exchange for Rafe’s pious platitudes. “Your time on earth is running out, Rafe, but mine’s forever. Don’t waste your precious minutes trying to help out these yahoos. You know . . . get yourself a lap dance, tie one on, bet on the ponies. Make your trip have some value. Because trying to protect these fools—that’s a fool’s errand.” Caleb’s advice, though cynical, is given in a casual, almost affectionate tone, revealing the intimacy sometimes experienced between long-time enemies who have shared so many years, so many intense, life and death moments that their bond is closer than most friendships. Caleb’s suggestion—that Rafe leave humans to their own fate and focus instead on his own fulfillment—though based on selfish principles, is pragmatic and reasonable. However, Rafe refuses to stop trying to save the world and ends up throughout the subsequent arcs making himself and his loved ones miserable, entangled in his messianic mission, a dualistic struggle which can never be resolved. “As long as you still don’t have your full power back, there’s still time to stop you,” Rafe replies, rejecting Caleb’s peace offering. “The more work I do, the stronger I get,” Caleb observes. “Your power is limited. Mine gets stronger everyday.” “I wouldn’t underestimate me, Caleb, or the people I’ve come to help,” Rafe threatens once more. “Oh, I’ve got to tell you, it is hard underestimating human weaknesses,” Caleb says with weary cynicism. “Well, then, you’ve already lost,” Rafe concludes. “These are good people, Caleb, and in the end, they’ll win.” “With your help?” Caleb sarcastically inquires. “That’s why I’m here,” Rafe asserts. As this conversation demonstrates, despite their differences, both Rafe and Caleb are committed to their respective world views, finding in these beliefs a vindication of their existence. By proving that humans are weak and essentially base, Caleb feels more justified in deceiving and destroying them. He achieves vengeance for Olivia’s rejection and distances himself from his own human past, his remaining traces of humanity. By demonstrating that humans are essentially good but need to be protected from evil influences, Rafe, in turn, justifies his calling as a vampire slayer in life and a guardian angel after death. “You know, it must be very frustrating having to play by all those rules,” Caleb points out. “I mean, you sit back and watch me play my way.” “Oh, you just love that, don’t you?” Rafe bitterly replies. “Oh, yeah,” Caleb agrees. “Winners write history, Rafe. I’m already planning my victory dinner.” “I wouldn’t send out the invitations just yet. Don’t . . . “ Rafe starts to command. “This conversation’s gotten real old,” Caleb interrupts again. “But just being here and figuring out who you are, I’m already feeling stronger. So don’t try to contact me again because your little tricks won’t work. Not now, not ever. Ciao, baby.” With these words, Caleb disappears, leaving Rafe frustrated, defeated. “Wait! We’re not done here!” Rafe calls out in impotent anger. “Oh, Caleb,” he sighs, feeling the emptiness of futility and disillusionment. He tries to console himself by talking to his heavenly “boss,” Ed. Although too conforming and bound by authority to intentionally rebel against his limitations, Rafe complains that Caleb is right, there are too many rules. He admits that he doesn’t feel ready for the difficult task ahead of him. In Rafe’s heaven, there are bosses, hierarchies, and stifling bureaucracies. Far from being a paradise, a reward for living a virtuous life, this heaven is like a suffocating workplace, a bleak white fluorescent-lit office with never-ending paper work. Instead of enjoying celestial bliss, the angels of this heaven yearn to return to Earth. The temptations of lap dances, booze, and betting on horse races, as described by Caleb, must be difficult to resist when faced with an eternity of routine and subservience in heaven. |
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| Snappies of "Tempted" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |