| "The Gift": Analysis of "The Gift" Arc of ABC-TV's Port Charles
(c) Alison Armstrong |
| An analysis of the "The Gift" 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. |
| "The Gift" Analysis #14 The darkness fades, oblivion itself nullified by the approach of returning consciousness. As ecstasy is replaced by awareness, the erotic magic gives way to the scheming machinations of strategy and conquest. Caleb begins to move forward with his plan to stage a performance that will result in the ring’s return to him, and Alison, worried about the upcoming performance, sets out to prevent it from taking place. Knowing how much Caleb hates being told what to do, she visits his apartment, where the band is rehearsing, and presents her stringent list of demands. |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| Livvie, meanwhile, has an upsetting encounter with Jack. Hurrying into the hospital elevator just as Jack is shutting the door, Livvie is subjected to Jack’s bitter, sarcastic taunts. “Livvie, Livvie, Livvie,” Jack chides. “I didn’t know you took elevators. Didn’t Caleb teach you how to fly?” “You don’t get it, do you?” she lashes back in a hurt tone. “You’ll never understand Caleb and me. . . . Why don’t you just cut it out because I am actually starting to feel sorry for you.” Jack responds by suddenly pushing the button to stop the elevator, keeping Livvie temporarily hostage while he forces her to “see what everybody else sees” in her. When she, as before, accuses him of being jealous, he replies that the passionate relationship she and Caleb share is merely the bond of “one psychopath finding another psychopath.” “Come on, Livvie, face it,” he lectures. “You are two twisted people who will end up destroying each other.” “You’re wrong, Jack,” she replies, but her voice is hesitant, almost pleading. “Caleb and I aren’t going to destroy each other, not this time.” “Who are you kidding?” Jack scoffs. “I’ve seen the way you two rip each other apart.” “I am all Caleb will ever need,” she tries to convince Jack and assure herself. “Oh, really? Is that why I saw him about to have a foursome at the Elixir the other night?” he reminds her, referring to Caleb’s dalliance with the women at the bar. “He was just trying to get at me,” she points out. “I know what he was trying to get,” Jack insinuates. “Who did he leave with, Jack?” Livvie retorts. “Who does he make love to every night? You know, I really am starting to feel sorry for you. You forgot what it’s like to be in love.” “Yeah, well, I will give you credit where credit is due,” Jack mutters resentfully. “I’m sorry,” Livvie says, her voice sad, soft, sincerely regretful. “Oh, huh, I believe that!” Jack laughs scornfully and pushes the button to restart the elevator. Although he had wanted to hurt Livvie, he had ended up getting hurt again by her, this time unintentionally. “No, Jack, really I’m sorry,” she insists. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t mean to destroy . . . ” “Yeah, Livvie, save it,” Jack interrupts, wounded by the reminder that he is now alone and this time Livvie is not to blame. He has ruined his relationship with Reese, selfishly sabotaging it with a carelessly made wish that she would find something or someone else to dote on. “Stop. I’ll take the stairs.” He pushes the button to open the elevator doors and is about to exit when Livvie, clutching him, begs him not to leave. “Jack, wait! Wait, please!” she urges. “It’s not too late, you know.” She wants him to understand that whatever happened between Reese and him does not have to destroy the relationship. For once, she seems to really care about Jack and his happiness, really wants to help. “Caleb will understand,” she explains. “Reese, she’s going to be at the loft a little later on tonight . . . . Come check it out. Maybe the two of you can make up and . . . ” She pauses, her voice trailing off indecisively. “I don’t know, Jack.” |