"Tainted Love" Diary 13 (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.
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.
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Although Caleb is barely present in the following episode (except in his Father Michael guise and in Livvie's
flashback to the cave), his effects on Jack, the Judge, and "Michael" are vividly depicted.
As the episode opens, Livvie, worried about Jack's absence, leaves a message on his answering machine, all the
while thinking of her evening in the cave with Caleb, their swirling dance. "Stop it! This is just a dream," she tries
to convince herself.
Meanwhile, Jack is still in the hospital, rushed there by Lucy when he began acting violent and ill. After he
receives a blood transfusion, he feels better but expresses an urgent, desperate need to see Livvie. When Chris
tries to get a blood sample from him, Jack once again turns violent, homicidal, threatening to kill him and then
escaping from the hospital to see Livvie. The Judge, who was attacked in the woods, likewise becomes violent
when Lucy enters the room and begins questioning him.
"Father Michael" is still locked in the cellar after his argument with Caleb that took place several episodes ago.
When Ian and Eve hear a tapping sound in the monastery, they search the basement and find Michael, weakly
tapping for help. Michael explains that he was trying to "counsel" Caleb about a woman he's "obsessed" with.
Voicing concern for the safety of this woman and Michael, Eve and Ian call the sheriff to report Caleb's attack on
Michael and vandalism of the church.
However, when the sheriffs arrive, Michael downplays the quarrel, and the sheriffs, rather lightly, dismiss the
incident. "This is not your typical case of sibling rivalry here," Eve observes, but since Michael refuses to press
charges and no one actually witnessed the church vandalism taking place, no action is taken. Michael,
uncharacteristically, displays an angry side of him (the hidden Caleb aspect) that startles Eve and Ian. When they
keep reminding him that Caleb is endangering the life of this young woman as well as Michael's, Michael lashes
out, yelling, "You don't know what you're talking about, either of you. You think you can come in here and tell me
how to live my life. . . . You don't know the first thing about what I've been through or what my brother
needs. . . . Leave us alone. Please. Leave us alone." He walks away. A few minutes later, he is approached
again by Eve and Ian and apologies are exchanged. However, Eve confides to Ian her worry over Michael's
danger and refuses to stop her well-meaning interference.
The episode concludes as Jack, having escaped from the hospital, reunites with Livvie, and they embrace.
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The next episode illustrates the devastating effects Caleb is having on the relationship between Livvie and Jack as
well as Gabby and Joe.
Towards the beginning of this episode there is a stunningly beautiful shot of Caleb standing in the sunlight. This is
the first time in Tainted Love that I can recall seeing Caleb in a bright, sunlit setting. He wears sunglasses and
resembles a young Jim Morrison with his sensuality, sexual swagger, and arrogant confidence. Suddenly he stops
his impetuous stride and steps back, telling himself "Patience, Caleb, patience. This is all new to you, isn't it
Olivia?" He takes off his sunglasses and rubs his eyes. "You try to deny your feelings. More and more you know
I'm always going to be there." He looks directly up into the sunlight now, smiling, as if in a challenge. "No matter
how hard you try to shut me out."
Although Caleb is barely present in the following episode (except in his Father Michael guise and in Livvie's
flashback to the cave), his effects on Jack, the Judge, and "Michael" are vividly depicted.
As the episode opens, Livvie, worried about Jack's absence, leaves a message on his answering machine, all the
while thinking of her evening in the cave with Caleb, their swirling dance. "Stop it! This is just a dream," she tries
to convince herself.
Meanwhile, Jack is still in the hospital, rushed there by Lucy when he began acting violent and ill. After he
receives a blood transfusion, he feels better but expresses an urgent, desperate need to see Livvie. When Chris
tries to get a blood sample from him, Jack once again turns violent, homicidal, threatening to kill him and then
escaping from the hospital to see Livvie. The Judge, who was attacked in the woods, likewise becomes violent
when Lucy enters the room and begins questioning him.
"Father Michael" is still locked in the cellar after his argument with Caleb that took place several episodes ago.
When Ian and Eve hear a tapping sound in the monastery, they search the basement and find Michael, weakly
tapping for help. Michael explains that he was trying to "counsel" Caleb about a woman he's "obsessed" with.
Voicing concern for the safety of this woman and Michael, Eve and Ian call the sheriff to report Caleb's attack on
Michael and vandalism of the church.
However, when the sheriffs arrive, Michael downplays the quarrel, and the sheriffs, rather lightly, dismiss the
incident. "This is not your typical case of sibling rivalry here," Eve observes, but since Michael refuses to press
charges and no one actually witnessed the church vandalism taking place, no action is taken. Michael,
uncharacteristically, displays an angry side of him (the hidden Caleb aspect) that startles Eve and Ian. When they
keep reminding him that Caleb is endangering the life of this young woman as well as Michael's, Michael lashes
out, yelling, "You don't know what you're talking about, either of you. You think you can come in here and tell me
how to live my life. . . . You don't know the first thing about what I've been through or what my brother
needs. . . . Leave us alone. Please. Leave us alone." He walks away. A few minutes later, he is approached
again by Eve and Ian and apologies are exchanged. However, Eve confides to Ian her worry over Michael's
danger and refuses to stop her well-meaning interference.
The episode concludes as Jack, having escaped from the hospital, reunites with Livvie, and they embrace.
*******************************************************************************************
The next episode illustrates the devastating effects Caleb is having on the relationship between Livvie and Jack as
well as Gabby and Joe.
Towards the beginning of this episode there is a stunningly beautiful shot of Caleb standing in the sunlight. This is
the first time in Tainted Love that I can recall seeing Caleb in a bright, sunlit setting. He wears sunglasses and
resembles a young Jim Morrison with his sensuality, sexual swagger, and arrogant confidence. Suddenly he stops
his impetuous stride and steps back, telling himself "Patience, Caleb, patience. This is all new to you, isn't it
Olivia?" He takes off his sunglasses and rubs his eyes. "You try to deny your feelings. More and more you know
I'm always going to be there." He looks directly up into the sunlight now, smiling, as if in a challenge. "No matter
how hard you try to shut me out."
Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A.
Armstrong
Armstrong