"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" Analysis #32
Seeking solace in the company of her ex-boyfriend, Jack, Livvie knows that her wish has not brought her
desired results, but she is unaware how much damage it has already caused. By meddling with Caleb’s ring, she
has brought into being a destiny in perverse opposition to her intent.
Livvie has also inadvertently ensnarled Alison and Rafe in the tangled web her wish has wrought. She has
created a barrier between Alison and Rafe, as well as between Caleb and herself.
Reuniting with Rafe, Alison is haunted by memories of her evening with Caleb. Her guilt demands that she tell
Rafe what happened, but Rafe is so happy to see her again that he barely lets her talk. Every time she starts to
unburden her soul, Rafe reassures her that everything is OK from now on. He admits that he had been
“possessed” by thoughts of the ring and vengeance against Caleb but vows that his slaying days are now over.
It is time, he announces, for them to start afresh. As Rafe begins kissing her, Alison withdraws, wanting,
instead, to cuddle next to him. When he finally gives her a chance to talk, assuring her that she can tell him
anything, she is unable to confess. Her fear of losing him, her desperate love for him, her need to make him
happy, has overcome her need to reveal the truth of her infidelity. Shifting the topic from the past to their future
together, she abruptly asks him when she is to “become Mrs. Kovich.” Equally eager to get married, Rafe
happily agrees that they should begin planning their wedding.
In contrast to the blissful Rafe and the secretly remorseful Alison, Caleb is neither happy nor repentant. He has
had a taste of revenge, but he craves more. He feels empty, as if his heart, like the etched heart carving in the
barn, has been tainted. Livvie’s betrayal has reopened old wounds he had thought were healed, wounds even his
corrupted, disillusioned soul found agonizing. With bitterness and an unslaked thirst for vengeance, Caleb
returns home to find his former rival, Jack, lying on the couch with Livvie. He gazes down upon Jack,
regarding him with a cynical yet almost fond smile. Jack, the man he had once chosen to be his “blood
brother,” his vampire apprentice, the man who had rejected him, betrayed him, fought against him in the battle
for Livvie, now seems curiously devoid of threat. Even though Jack snuggles against Livvie in rather cozy
intimacy, Caleb senses that Jack poses no threat. Caleb’s relationship with Livvie may be in danger, but it is not
Jack who is the cause. Jack is just an innocent pawn dragged back into Livvie’s chaotic orbit.
“Rise and shine, Jack,” Caleb murmurs, touching Jack’s hair. “It’s time to go home.”
“Caleb!” Livvie exclaims, her eyes wide with surprise and a tinge of fear.
Seeking solace in the company of her ex-boyfriend, Jack, Livvie knows that her wish has not brought her
desired results, but she is unaware how much damage it has already caused. By meddling with Caleb’s ring, she
has brought into being a destiny in perverse opposition to her intent.
Livvie has also inadvertently ensnarled Alison and Rafe in the tangled web her wish has wrought. She has
created a barrier between Alison and Rafe, as well as between Caleb and herself.
Reuniting with Rafe, Alison is haunted by memories of her evening with Caleb. Her guilt demands that she tell
Rafe what happened, but Rafe is so happy to see her again that he barely lets her talk. Every time she starts to
unburden her soul, Rafe reassures her that everything is OK from now on. He admits that he had been
“possessed” by thoughts of the ring and vengeance against Caleb but vows that his slaying days are now over.
It is time, he announces, for them to start afresh. As Rafe begins kissing her, Alison withdraws, wanting,
instead, to cuddle next to him. When he finally gives her a chance to talk, assuring her that she can tell him
anything, she is unable to confess. Her fear of losing him, her desperate love for him, her need to make him
happy, has overcome her need to reveal the truth of her infidelity. Shifting the topic from the past to their future
together, she abruptly asks him when she is to “become Mrs. Kovich.” Equally eager to get married, Rafe
happily agrees that they should begin planning their wedding.
In contrast to the blissful Rafe and the secretly remorseful Alison, Caleb is neither happy nor repentant. He has
had a taste of revenge, but he craves more. He feels empty, as if his heart, like the etched heart carving in the
barn, has been tainted. Livvie’s betrayal has reopened old wounds he had thought were healed, wounds even his
corrupted, disillusioned soul found agonizing. With bitterness and an unslaked thirst for vengeance, Caleb
returns home to find his former rival, Jack, lying on the couch with Livvie. He gazes down upon Jack,
regarding him with a cynical yet almost fond smile. Jack, the man he had once chosen to be his “blood
brother,” his vampire apprentice, the man who had rejected him, betrayed him, fought against him in the battle
for Livvie, now seems curiously devoid of threat. Even though Jack snuggles against Livvie in rather cozy
intimacy, Caleb senses that Jack poses no threat. Caleb’s relationship with Livvie may be in danger, but it is not
Jack who is the cause. Jack is just an innocent pawn dragged back into Livvie’s chaotic orbit.
“Rise and shine, Jack,” Caleb murmurs, touching Jack’s hair. “It’s time to go home.”
“Caleb!” Livvie exclaims, her eyes wide with surprise and a tinge of fear.
Snappies of "The Gift"
scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
“Oh, who were you expecting?” Caleb remarks snidely.
“Finally,” she sighs. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Hmm, I can see that,” he says, smiling sarcastically.
“This is not good,” Jack, scrambling to his feet, mutters and begins gathering up his belongings. “I kind of lost
track of time here. Whoo, I better be going.”
“Finally,” she sighs. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Hmm, I can see that,” he says, smiling sarcastically.
“This is not good,” Jack, scrambling to his feet, mutters and begins gathering up his belongings. “I kind of lost
track of time here. Whoo, I better be going.”
“Thank you for keeping me company,” Livvie tells Jack as he hurries out the door and Caleb, with grim
satisfaction, crushes beneath his feet the rose Jack brought.
satisfaction, crushes beneath his feet the rose Jack brought.