| "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" Episode 40 As Rafe is sent back to a bleak Heaven of rules, bureaucracy, and discipline, Caleb fantasizes about earthly triumph. However, the closer Caleb seems to victory, the closer he is to defeat. In the eternal battle between "good" and "evil", neither side ultimately wins. Any victory achieved by either side is only transitory, as illusory as Rafe’s treacly dreams or Caleb’s sensual reveries Up in Heaven, Rafe is reprimanded and shown the dire consequences of interfering with human free will. His boss, Ed, reveals that if Livvie had been told she was Caleb’s unwitting accomplice she would have drowned herself in the river. Too emotionally fragile to handle the shocking truth, Livvie would have been destroyed by it; however, by piecing together her shattered memories on her own, she can gradually discover the truth and partially redeem herself from Caleb’s corruption. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Caleb sits alone in his cave, envisioning the future he desires and believes he deserves, a future in which his needs for vengeance, love, power, sexual gratification, and family are fulfilled. Stroking a long, slender candle, he indulges in his masturbatory fantasies, with Livvie and Eve as his supplicants, paying homage to his divine prowess. |
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| Livvie is his chastened, devoted, and submissively thankful bride, his beloved Olivia reborn and refashioned, an improved version of his first true love and her betraying successor. “You. . . You were so right,” Livvie murmurs. “I belong to you. Thanks for giving me this chance and letting me help you.” |
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| Joining his faithful, obedient wife is Eve, the mother of “his” child. “I brought you what is rightfully yours,” Eve exclaims, carrying baby Daniel. “Forgive me for taking so long and for ever denying this child belongs to you.” She kneels before him, her lord, and hands to him her newborn son. In exchange for her gift, he treats her like a soulless vessel, a mere womb, now barren and therefore useless to him. She is an accursed, broodmare Madonna, bearer of his heir, a receptacle to be tossed aside when she is no longer needed. |
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| “Mmmm,” Caleb smiles exultantly as he holds the child. “You’re home, son. You’re home.”
“I’m so sorry,” Eve meekly apologizes. “I should have known you’re the one. You’re so much better than Michael. I should have picked you.” “But I didn’t pick you,” Caleb says dismissively. “Now you’ve brought your child. You’re no use to me anymore.” With a wave of his hand, he makes her vanish and turns his attention towards his adoring wife. “Would you like to hold our child, my love?” |
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| “Mommy’s here,” Livive coos, cradling the baby. “Mommy’s here.” |
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| Snappies of "Tempted" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |