"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.
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" #31 (cont.)
“I can’t lie to someone that I love,” Alison argues, overlooking the fact that she had previously withheld the truth
from those she loved (her mother and Jamal), leading them to believe she was dead, so that she could try to
escape from Joshua. The emotional anguish this brought her and her loved ones was necessary in order to save
her life. To preserve her future with Rafe and spare him any more pain, she could, as before, withhold the truth
or she could risk hurting him more than he could ever imagine, ruining forever their chance for a happy life
together.
“But won’t telling Rafe just hurt him?” Caleb points out.
“But won’t keeping a secret, won’t that do more harm?” she responds. “I mean, we always told each other that
we would tell each other the bad and the good.”
“So you’re going to tell him the truth? And he thought he was in Hell before,” Caleb sneers.
“I have to try really hard,” she decides. “I have to let him know that we weren’t in control of ourselves.” Her
heart filled with dread and remorse, she walks out the door, returning to Rafe, who remains unaware that his
punishment has, like hers, only just begun.
“Speak for yourself, Sweetheart,” Caleb, alone in the barn, mutters disdainfully. “I never lose control.”
“I can’t lie to someone that I love,” Alison argues, overlooking the fact that she had previously withheld the truth
from those she loved (her mother and Jamal), leading them to believe she was dead, so that she could try to
escape from Joshua. The emotional anguish this brought her and her loved ones was necessary in order to save
her life. To preserve her future with Rafe and spare him any more pain, she could, as before, withhold the truth
or she could risk hurting him more than he could ever imagine, ruining forever their chance for a happy life
together.
“But won’t telling Rafe just hurt him?” Caleb points out.
“But won’t keeping a secret, won’t that do more harm?” she responds. “I mean, we always told each other that
we would tell each other the bad and the good.”
“So you’re going to tell him the truth? And he thought he was in Hell before,” Caleb sneers.
“I have to try really hard,” she decides. “I have to let him know that we weren’t in control of ourselves.” Her
heart filled with dread and remorse, she walks out the door, returning to Rafe, who remains unaware that his
punishment has, like hers, only just begun.
“Speak for yourself, Sweetheart,” Caleb, alone in the barn, mutters disdainfully. “I never lose control.”
Snappies of "The Gift"
scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
He turns towards the wall and spits upon the etched heart bearing Alison and Rafe’s names. He has defiled
Alison and Rafe’s cherubic union. His mouth, which shortly before had kissed and licked Rafe’s sweet blonde
princess, now spews his venomous distaste upon their rustic emblem of romance. Leading Alison to believe that
he was as powerless as she was to resist Livvie’s spell, he has used the spell to wreak vengeance upon her,
Rafe, and Livvie.
Alison and Rafe’s cherubic union. His mouth, which shortly before had kissed and licked Rafe’s sweet blonde
princess, now spews his venomous distaste upon their rustic emblem of romance. Leading Alison to believe that
he was as powerless as she was to resist Livvie’s spell, he has used the spell to wreak vengeance upon her,
Rafe, and Livvie.
His vengeance, though, like Alison’s embrace, leaves a sour aftertaste. He can continue to make Livvie pay for
her betrayal, but he, too, is paying a price. He has done the one thing Livvie may never be able to forgive, and,
in the process, has created repercussions even he may not be able to control.
her betrayal, but he, too, is paying a price. He has done the one thing Livvie may never be able to forgive, and,
in the process, has created repercussions even he may not be able to control.