| "Desire": Analysis of the "Desire" Arc of ABC-TV's Port Charles (c) Alison Armstrong |
| An analysis of the "Desire" episodes of the show Port Charles, formerly of ABC-TV. This site will focus on the scenes featuring the vampire character Caleb Morley/Stephen Clay (portrayed by actor Michael Easton). The character of Caleb Morley/Stephen Clay 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. |
| "Desire" #1 (cont.) "Tess is gone, isn't she? Somehow you got Livvie back, right?" Rafe probes. "Answer me!" "Or what? You going to put me on the rack?" Caleb retorts, his sarcasm and bravado concealing any sense of powerlessness. "You turned Livvie and now you want her to return the favor and turn you back into a vampire," Rafe scowls. "You just want to keep him using her, don't you?" "You don't know anything about her, and you sure as hell don't know anything about me!" Caleb glowers, losing his patience. "You better shut up or I'm going to leave you here," Rafe threatens. "Why don't you, huh?" Caleb challenges. "What are you doing here trying to save me anyway?" |
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| Snappies of "Desire" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| "I don't know. Guess I just don't want to see you die," Rafe evades. "So you really do want to torture me, huh?" Caleb laughs bitterly. "Best torture I can think of for you is to have to live your life as a mortal," Rafe admits. "And trust me, I'm not going to let Livvie anywhere near you, all right? So come on," he smirks, gloating with smug delight at the future he plans to make Caleb endure. "Come on. It's time to face it. Time for you to go out there and take a nice, big, juicy bite out of normal life, all right? Let's go." He extends his hand towards Caleb, but Caleb pushes it away, rejecting Rafe's condescending assistance. "Get your hand away from me!" Caleb snarls. "I don't need your help." He struggles to his feet. "I don't need you for anything." "Easy," Rafe smirks again as Caleb falls and groans in pain. "You sure about that?" he teases. "Come on." Begrudgingly accepting help this time, Caleb grabs Rafe's hand, and the two enemies stumble out of the ruins. They end up at the hospital, where Caleb is confined to a bed and Rafe, acting as jailer, keeps guard to make sure Caleb does not try to escape. "Where are your powers now, Caleb?" Rafe gloats, watching from a doorway as Caleb, hooked up to IV's, lies on the bed. "Now you're on my turf." The scenes with Caleb at the hospital are among the dreariest of this dreary arc, reflecting the degrading, dehumanizing experiences many patients routinely endure at health care facilities. Connected to the IV's, Caleb has no say in his treatment, is poked and prodded by doctors and nurses, is not allowed to leave without a doctor's permission, and is given medications without his consent. Stripped of his own clothes and given a scanty, ugly hospital gown, he is robbed of his dignity and individuality. It is clear that Dr. Chris Ramsey enjoys his position of power as the physician treating Caleb. He especially enjoys the irony of giving Caleb, the former blood-drinker, blood from an IV and watching as the once-powerful vampire is reduced to the condition of a helpless mortal. "Get away from me," Caleb whispers as Chris listens to Caleb's heart. "Sorry, pal, no can do," Chris smirks. While the nurse, Colleen, hooks up another unit of blood to the IV, Caleb gazes hungrily at the bag of blood hanging next to him. |