"Tainted Love" Diary 102 (c) Alison Armstrong
An analysis of the "Tainted Love" episodes of the show "Port Charles," formerly of ABC-TV. This site will focus on the scenes featuring the vampire character
Caleb Morley (portrayed by actor Michael Easton). The character of Caleb Morley 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 (portrayed by actor Michael Easton). The character of Caleb Morley 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.
His hair blowing wildly, his eyes sizzling red, he strides triumphantly out of the church like a phoenix, reborn with
an insatiable need for vengeance. As if renouncing his repressive piety, he tears off his priest collar and rips open
his shirt, baring his chest in self-liberating defiance.
an insatiable need for vengeance. As if renouncing his repressive piety, he tears off his priest collar and rips open
his shirt, baring his chest in self-liberating defiance.
Snappies of "Tainted Love"
scenes taken by A. Armstrong
scenes taken by A. Armstrong
********************************************************************************************
Following Caleb's vengeful resurrection from the church ashes, his foes, gathered together at the hospital,
scheme to rid him from their midst. In their desperation, they plot to use Gabby and Eve as decoys, hoping that
once Caleb is summoned and lured into revealing his Michael aspect, they will be able to permanently destroy
him. As Kevin explains, "Once the split [between the Caleb and Michael personalities] is complete, Michael sees
himself as two separate people." He is then at his most vulnerable, the ties to his forsaken mortality ensnaring him
in his enemies' web of deception.
As Livvie and Jack conspire together, they discuss Caleb's tainting, tantalizing influence. Again, as in the
vampire film "The Addiction," vampirism is equated with substance abuse. "I know you're still hooked on him,
Livvie," Jack observes, and Livvie admits, "It's like I'm addicted, and that's what it feels like. I'm still so drawn
to him." "Caleb's your drug," Jack states bluntly.
However, the "hold" Caleb has over Livvie is deeper and more psychologically complex than a drug addiction, for
despite Livvie's claims of innocence and victimization, she said "yes" to the world Caleb offered. Knowing that he
was a vampire, knowing that he had accidentally murdered his fiancee, she chose to marry him. He satisfied and
released a dark, wild part of herself that Jack never could. Once she had experienced the feral passion Caleb
provided, she could never be content with anything else. Her addiction was a form of love, a dangerous,
obsessive love as real and ultimately more powerful than any bond she would have ever have with Jack.
The wrath and malice Caleb feels after being betrayed by his Olivia and by the mother of "his" child is too intense
to be contained; it radiates from him in the form of lightning and torrential winds. "He's here," Livvie whispers
ominously, as Caleb, like an ancient storm god, unleashes the violence of nature upon those who thwart his
destiny. As the episode closes, he appears briefly at the hospital room window, illuminated in the red glow of
carnage, his eyes blazing with the thirst for blood and retribution.
Following Caleb's vengeful resurrection from the church ashes, his foes, gathered together at the hospital,
scheme to rid him from their midst. In their desperation, they plot to use Gabby and Eve as decoys, hoping that
once Caleb is summoned and lured into revealing his Michael aspect, they will be able to permanently destroy
him. As Kevin explains, "Once the split [between the Caleb and Michael personalities] is complete, Michael sees
himself as two separate people." He is then at his most vulnerable, the ties to his forsaken mortality ensnaring him
in his enemies' web of deception.
As Livvie and Jack conspire together, they discuss Caleb's tainting, tantalizing influence. Again, as in the
vampire film "The Addiction," vampirism is equated with substance abuse. "I know you're still hooked on him,
Livvie," Jack observes, and Livvie admits, "It's like I'm addicted, and that's what it feels like. I'm still so drawn
to him." "Caleb's your drug," Jack states bluntly.
However, the "hold" Caleb has over Livvie is deeper and more psychologically complex than a drug addiction, for
despite Livvie's claims of innocence and victimization, she said "yes" to the world Caleb offered. Knowing that he
was a vampire, knowing that he had accidentally murdered his fiancee, she chose to marry him. He satisfied and
released a dark, wild part of herself that Jack never could. Once she had experienced the feral passion Caleb
provided, she could never be content with anything else. Her addiction was a form of love, a dangerous,
obsessive love as real and ultimately more powerful than any bond she would have ever have with Jack.
The wrath and malice Caleb feels after being betrayed by his Olivia and by the mother of "his" child is too intense
to be contained; it radiates from him in the form of lightning and torrential winds. "He's here," Livvie whispers
ominously, as Caleb, like an ancient storm god, unleashes the violence of nature upon those who thwart his
destiny. As the episode closes, he appears briefly at the hospital room window, illuminated in the red glow of
carnage, his eyes blazing with the thirst for blood and retribution.