| "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" #3 (cont.) “Because she was drugged,” Rafe, grimacing in frustration, repeats. “I mean, when you do all the horrible things you do that’s because that’s what’s in your heart, that’s what’s in your soul. That’s who you are. And you see, that’s not what Alison’s about, so no matter how hard you try to drag her down to your level, that’s not going to work.” “You actually think that I am jealous of Alison?” Livvie, refusing to admit the truth about herself, snarls. “Let me think about this for a second,” Rafe replies sarcastically, then proceeds to give examples of all the ways Livvie demonstrated her continual jealousy of Alison. “That’s why you tricked me into marrying you,” he points out. “That’s why you got up on the stand in court and lied about her. That’s why you blamed Alison when Jack walked out the door. And now you are just so terrified that Caleb might be interested in Alison.” “No, you are wrong!” she exclaims, her voice defensive, scared. “You are just totally wrong. That part of my life is over. Caleb is interested in me and only me.” She turns away from Rafe, not wanting him to see the worry in her eyes. “It’s true. It’s true, Rafe,” she emphasizes, repeating it to herself like a mantra, an affirmation of faith in the love she sometimes doubts. “I finally found someone who adores me, who just . . . who wants me for me. I am not threatened by Alison. I could care less what she thinks or what she does or where she goes.” “Just so you know,” Rafe, as if sensing Livvie’s fear and feeling a bit of it himself, muses, “I’m not at all worried that Alison’s ever going to be like you. Just stay away from us, OK?” With these words, he leaves the apartment, and Livvie follows. Denying their worries and suspicions, Rafe and Livvie are united in doubt. They fear that love is threatened. They fear their loss of faith in love. Caleb, meanwhile, has been temporarily enjoying his freedom from Livvie’s jealous rants. As he, walking alongside the docks, savors the fleeting splendor of the fireworks, he sees Alison sitting nearby on a bench and approaches her. “So how was your Fourth? Getting enough fireworks?” he remarks, alluding perhaps to the tensions she and Rafe, as well as he and Livvie, have been experiencing lately. “Yeah, they’re very beautiful,” she says sadly, barely looking at the fireworks or at Caleb. She stares blankly in front of her, lost in her thoughts. “They last only for an instant, like life,” Caleb observes, sitting beside her. He gazes at the sky and at her with a contemplative expression. “I mean, you realize the most beautiful things are only around for a short time.” |
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| Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |
| “Right,” she agrees. “And in a flash they’re all gone at once.”
Although talking about the fireworks, Caleb and Alison are actually speaking about much more than the bursts of dazzling light searing the night sky above them. They are referring to the beauty and pleasure of life itself, of love. Ecstasy, even amongst immortals, is ephemeral. Pain and sorrow are inextricably linked with joy. “Hey, what’s the matter?” he asks, noticing her glum demeanor. “I’m just . . . I think it must be something from the drugs Joshua gave me, some after-effect or something, she responds. “You think maybe you should go home?” Caleb suggests. “I mean, I could walk you if you want or . . . ” “No, no,” she hastily replies. “That’s very nice of you. I can go myself. But thanks for sitting with me. Happy 4th of July.” She starts to get up from the bench, but as she rises, her knees go limp and she slumps into Caleb’s arms. “Easy. Easy. OK, I got you. It’s all right,” he soothes. “Come here. Sit down.” “Thanks,” she says, her voice tense and embarrassed as he helps her to sit back down on the bench. “Umm, I think I’m just like a little cold or something. I need to rest, I think.” At the mention of her being cold, Caleb takes off his shirt and drapes it around her. “What brought you here all on your own on the Fourth of July?” he inquires. “Fireworks, I heard there were going to be really big ones so I wanted to come,” she answers hesitantly. |