"Tainted Love" Diary 14 (c) by 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.
Meanwhile, Livvie, reunited with Jack after his escape from the hospital, tells Jack that she needs him to make
her feel safe again. Although Jack says he wants to be the one she always turns to, when she tells him that
Jamal and Alison think he's dangerous, he begins to doubt himself. He worries that maybe he might endanger
her, "the only pure thing" in his life now, but she reassures him, and they kiss.
Gabby and Joe, now separated, have an argument in the hospital in front of Karen, while elsewhere in the
hospital, the Judge, questioned by Lucy, turns violent again and tries to strangle her but is sedated by Kevin.
When Karen confronts Gabby about this mystery man who has so strangely and powerfully affected Gabby's
life, Gabby speaks excitedly and rapturously as if she has experienced a mystical erotic encounter or joined
some entrancing religious cult. Once again, Gabby expresses the type of feelings I and probably many of us
have felt when Caleb first entered our lives. "From the second I looked in his eyes, I just knew," she explains.
"I've never met anyone like him. I wish I could describe it--the way I'm feeling now. Just thinking about him,
my heart is pounding. I've never met anyone so charismatic. Just one meeting. He has plans for me. Big
plans. . . .You meet someone like this once in your life. And once you get him in your head you can't get him
out." Later, alone in a room, Gabby tries to invoke Caleb, pleading, "Come to me. I need you. You're a part of
me. . . .I can't get you out of my mind. Your voice. Your eyes. Your skin on mine. I've given up everything for
you. Thrown away everyone I've cared about. You said you'd call me when you needed me. I'm waiting.
Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting."
In addition to possessing Gabby's mind and soul, Caleb is also on his way to possessing Livvie's. Like an
incubus, he even invades her dreams and arouses her sexual desires, making her think of him when she is in
bed with Jack. As I've discussed in my "Caleb's Inspiration" Web pages, a key scene in this episode and
(actually of the whole arc) reveals very perceptive Freudian insights into the nature of dreams, fantasies, and
denial. The scene begins with Livvie, in bed with Jack, drifting off into an erotic reverie. She whispers, "I love
you so much," but then Caleb, replacing Jack, appears, and replies, "I love you too, Olivia." As he kisses her,
she welcomes him, opening her arms in an amorous embrace, but when she "wakes up" and sees Caleb
lingering with a sensual slouch in the doorway, she yells, "No! Stay away! Get away!" After accidentally
awakening Jack with her shouts, Livvie tries to persuade him and herself that it all was "just a really bad
dream."
her feel safe again. Although Jack says he wants to be the one she always turns to, when she tells him that
Jamal and Alison think he's dangerous, he begins to doubt himself. He worries that maybe he might endanger
her, "the only pure thing" in his life now, but she reassures him, and they kiss.
Gabby and Joe, now separated, have an argument in the hospital in front of Karen, while elsewhere in the
hospital, the Judge, questioned by Lucy, turns violent again and tries to strangle her but is sedated by Kevin.
When Karen confronts Gabby about this mystery man who has so strangely and powerfully affected Gabby's
life, Gabby speaks excitedly and rapturously as if she has experienced a mystical erotic encounter or joined
some entrancing religious cult. Once again, Gabby expresses the type of feelings I and probably many of us
have felt when Caleb first entered our lives. "From the second I looked in his eyes, I just knew," she explains.
"I've never met anyone like him. I wish I could describe it--the way I'm feeling now. Just thinking about him,
my heart is pounding. I've never met anyone so charismatic. Just one meeting. He has plans for me. Big
plans. . . .You meet someone like this once in your life. And once you get him in your head you can't get him
out." Later, alone in a room, Gabby tries to invoke Caleb, pleading, "Come to me. I need you. You're a part of
me. . . .I can't get you out of my mind. Your voice. Your eyes. Your skin on mine. I've given up everything for
you. Thrown away everyone I've cared about. You said you'd call me when you needed me. I'm waiting.
Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting."
In addition to possessing Gabby's mind and soul, Caleb is also on his way to possessing Livvie's. Like an
incubus, he even invades her dreams and arouses her sexual desires, making her think of him when she is in
bed with Jack. As I've discussed in my "Caleb's Inspiration" Web pages, a key scene in this episode and
(actually of the whole arc) reveals very perceptive Freudian insights into the nature of dreams, fantasies, and
denial. The scene begins with Livvie, in bed with Jack, drifting off into an erotic reverie. She whispers, "I love
you so much," but then Caleb, replacing Jack, appears, and replies, "I love you too, Olivia." As he kisses her,
she welcomes him, opening her arms in an amorous embrace, but when she "wakes up" and sees Caleb
lingering with a sensual slouch in the doorway, she yells, "No! Stay away! Get away!" After accidentally
awakening Jack with her shouts, Livvie tries to persuade him and herself that it all was "just a really bad
dream."
Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A.
Armstrong.
Armstrong.