"The Gift": Analysis of "The Gift" Arc of ABC-TV's Port Charles
(c) Alison Armstrong
(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.
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" #30 (cont.)
“If you must know, Caleb and I are in for a very romantic evening tonight,” she tells him irritably. “And I think
maybe you should be kissing my feet for bringing you my business because, you know, I’m a really good
customer. I could be going somewhere else. But not you. You like, you know, to attack your best customers.”
Although insisting that he is not “attacking” her, Jack then proceeds to tease her about her relationship with
Caleb, wryly suggesting that she get some cheesecake for their “lovely evening” and “have Caleb lick it off” after
their “intellectual conversation.” His snide remarks seem rooted in jealousy, that festering jealousy he cannot
overcome despite his denial that it exists. He remains jealous of Caleb, jealous, in particular, of Caleb’s sexual
allure, the passion Caleb arouses in Livvie. Despite the love she and Jack once shared, Jack could never stir that
fierce, animal, all-consuming passion in Livvie.
When Livvie, again, accuses Jack of desiring her, he denies it, even going so far as to claim that “hating” her is
the reason he has “to get up in the morning.” But his denial merely confirms the lonely, bitter, loveless state of
his existence. If he has that much need to hate Livvie, it must mean that she has left a huge vacuum in his life.
The gap that used to be filled with love he now unsuccessfully attempts to fill with hate.
As Jack gets her the take-out order she requested, Livvie sadly reflects on his self-professed hatred of her. “It
doesn’t have to be like this,” she tells him, a pleading tone in her voice. “We were polite to each other once. I
think we can manage.”
“Yeah, but it never lasts, does it?” Jack remarks bitterly.
“That’s because we always bring up the past, stupid stuff,” she points out.
“Yeah, the stupid stuff you did to me over and over again,” he concludes, walking away from her.
Standing outside the Elixir, her bag of food in her hands, Livvie glances at the ring. The big, important wish she
plans to make later this evening has to wait, but for now she can try out the ring again and make a wish that may
heal some of the nostalgic ache in her heart. “OK, she whispers, thinking about her former relationship with
Jack. “We’ve made a few mistakes. It doesn’t mean Jack has to hate me.” She clutches the ring, feeling its
power. “I wish that Jack didn’t hate me anymore,” she murmurs, and Jack, inside the Elixir, begins to re-
experience emotions he thought he had permanently banished.
As Livvie returns home and begins reflecting upon her wish, Alison, still at the barn with Caleb, tries to get him
to use whatever powers he has, minus the ring, to bring Rafe back. Exhausted by frustration and the apparent
futility of her tearful requests, she bleakly foresees a future without Rafe.
“What am I supposed to do?” she sobs, rubbing her fingers over the heart carving Rafe made with his and her
names intertwined. “How am I supposed to live like this?”
“If you must know, Caleb and I are in for a very romantic evening tonight,” she tells him irritably. “And I think
maybe you should be kissing my feet for bringing you my business because, you know, I’m a really good
customer. I could be going somewhere else. But not you. You like, you know, to attack your best customers.”
Although insisting that he is not “attacking” her, Jack then proceeds to tease her about her relationship with
Caleb, wryly suggesting that she get some cheesecake for their “lovely evening” and “have Caleb lick it off” after
their “intellectual conversation.” His snide remarks seem rooted in jealousy, that festering jealousy he cannot
overcome despite his denial that it exists. He remains jealous of Caleb, jealous, in particular, of Caleb’s sexual
allure, the passion Caleb arouses in Livvie. Despite the love she and Jack once shared, Jack could never stir that
fierce, animal, all-consuming passion in Livvie.
When Livvie, again, accuses Jack of desiring her, he denies it, even going so far as to claim that “hating” her is
the reason he has “to get up in the morning.” But his denial merely confirms the lonely, bitter, loveless state of
his existence. If he has that much need to hate Livvie, it must mean that she has left a huge vacuum in his life.
The gap that used to be filled with love he now unsuccessfully attempts to fill with hate.
As Jack gets her the take-out order she requested, Livvie sadly reflects on his self-professed hatred of her. “It
doesn’t have to be like this,” she tells him, a pleading tone in her voice. “We were polite to each other once. I
think we can manage.”
“Yeah, but it never lasts, does it?” Jack remarks bitterly.
“That’s because we always bring up the past, stupid stuff,” she points out.
“Yeah, the stupid stuff you did to me over and over again,” he concludes, walking away from her.
Standing outside the Elixir, her bag of food in her hands, Livvie glances at the ring. The big, important wish she
plans to make later this evening has to wait, but for now she can try out the ring again and make a wish that may
heal some of the nostalgic ache in her heart. “OK, she whispers, thinking about her former relationship with
Jack. “We’ve made a few mistakes. It doesn’t mean Jack has to hate me.” She clutches the ring, feeling its
power. “I wish that Jack didn’t hate me anymore,” she murmurs, and Jack, inside the Elixir, begins to re-
experience emotions he thought he had permanently banished.
As Livvie returns home and begins reflecting upon her wish, Alison, still at the barn with Caleb, tries to get him
to use whatever powers he has, minus the ring, to bring Rafe back. Exhausted by frustration and the apparent
futility of her tearful requests, she bleakly foresees a future without Rafe.
“What am I supposed to do?” she sobs, rubbing her fingers over the heart carving Rafe made with his and her
names intertwined. “How am I supposed to live like this?”
Snappies of "The Gift"
scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
“You’ll figure out a way,” he sighs, weary and depressed also. “You’re a smart girl. We all figure out a way
eventually.” His stoic remark fails to conceal his sadness, his feeling of betrayal. He and Alison are briefly
united in sorrow as Alison laments the loss of Rafe and Caleb mourns the loss of trust in his relationship with
Livvie. She has violated his trust and, as a result, she has sabotaged their eternal bond.
The moment of shared sorrow ends, though, when Caleb senses a “shift”, a sign that Rafe is back from Hell.
While Alison rejoices at this news of Rafe’s return, Caleb feels bitter and alienated from the woman he loves.
“Oh, my God, thank you,” Alison gushes excitedly, embracing Caleb. “I knew you would do it. . . . I knew
you had the power.”
“It wasn’t me, Alison,” Caleb admits.
Alison, however, does not believe that Caleb had nothing to do with Rafe’s release from Hell. Hugging Caleb
again, she vows that she and Rafe are going to “do it right this time.”
eventually.” His stoic remark fails to conceal his sadness, his feeling of betrayal. He and Alison are briefly
united in sorrow as Alison laments the loss of Rafe and Caleb mourns the loss of trust in his relationship with
Livvie. She has violated his trust and, as a result, she has sabotaged their eternal bond.
The moment of shared sorrow ends, though, when Caleb senses a “shift”, a sign that Rafe is back from Hell.
While Alison rejoices at this news of Rafe’s return, Caleb feels bitter and alienated from the woman he loves.
“Oh, my God, thank you,” Alison gushes excitedly, embracing Caleb. “I knew you would do it. . . . I knew
you had the power.”
“It wasn’t me, Alison,” Caleb admits.
Alison, however, does not believe that Caleb had nothing to do with Rafe’s release from Hell. Hugging Caleb
again, she vows that she and Rafe are going to “do it right this time.”