"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 #9 

Sensual, seductive, serpentine, Caleb is adept at handling women, those he can beguilingly charm with his charisma and allure, as well as those who, posing a challenge, require more devious or sinister methods of persuasion.    Gabriela and Elizabeth he could almost effortlessly entice. The silken murmur of his voice, the soft yet forceful caress of his lips,  and the glimmer of dangerous desire in his eyes were enough to banish all thoughts of caution and propriety in these women, as well as many others ecstatically surrendering to his will.   With Livvie, his soulmate, he used deception, tenderness, and gentle persistence, seeing inside her soul and wielding his magical illusions to convince her he could make all of her dreams come true.  By the time Livvie knew the truth behind his illusions, she had fallen in love with him.  Despite the trickery and lies, the love she and Caleb shared was real.  It prevailed, triumphing over Caleb’s manipulative marriage with Elizabeth .  Having realized the depth of his love for Livvie, a love so deep even her murderous deception in “Tempted” could not banish it, Caleb committed himself, heart and soul, to Livvie.  His self-serving, deceptive dalliances with women were to be a thing of the past.  Yet his desire to seduce and conquer remained.  He was, as always, a predator, a hunter seeking the excitement of the chase. And now, with Imani, as with Lucy in “Surrender,” he has an opportunity to seductively stalk his prey, to torment and entice with erotic menace.

Suspecting that Imani is the person who stole his ring, Caleb follows her when she steps outside of the gym.  He leans against the doorway, barring her return to the safety of the gym and the festive, party-like atmosphere of the grand opening ceremonies taking place there.

“Imani . . . what a beautiful name and such an innocent face,” he murmurs with a lecherous purr, then, as she, startled, meets his probing gaze, he slams the door to the gym shut.
Snappies of "The Gift" scenes taken by A. Armstrong
“Look, I’m working.  I  . . . ” she starts to protest.
 
“No, you’re on a break,” he interrupts, slinking closer until he is nearly face to face. “You know, there’s quite an air of mystery surrounding you. . . . Guess what, love?”  He caresses her face.  “I think I’ve figured out your little secret. . . . We all have our secrets.  I have mine, and you have yours.”
Having no knowledge of the ring and its disappearance, Imani is baffled by Caleb’s insinuations.  But Caleb, suspecting her guilelessness to be an act, continues his intimidating inquiries.

“Do you know this doesn’t even make any sense?” Imani unflinchingly retorts.  “I have never even met you.  But, if I had known when I first came to town the great Stephen Clay was such a jerk . . . ” 

“Feisty,” he interrupts, gazing at her with amused admiration, like a cat diverted by its prey’s brave attempts to escape.  “I like that. . . . Let’s just say I’m looking for something that belongs to me—a ring.  It was my father’s.”
"The Gift" #9 (cont.)