| "Tainted Love Diary" 18 (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. |
As the flashback reveals, with a sudden panther-like pounce, Caleb is upon Jack. Caleb smiles, a sneering snarl of triumph and expectation as he pins Jack to the ground. He sits upon Jack's body, pressing down on Jack's struggling legs as the friction escalates. There's a very subtle, beautiful suggestion of eroticism here as the two men grapple in a violent yet somehow sensual embrace, a reminder perhaps of the fine line at times between desire, domination, and assault, a line especially fine when a vampire's incessant urges for blood are linked with lust and conquest. The violation of Jack's soul as Caleb initiates Jack into the blood mysteries of the vampire world is perhaps a metaphor for other forms of violation. "And you were fighting back so hard. I just couldn't bring myself to finish you off," Caleb reminisces. "So I thought I'd let you live. Between two worlds, so to speak. My blood mixed with yours. Brothers in a way." We see Jack still trying to struggle, to protect his life in addition to his self-respect. He somehow manages to partially break free and punch Caleb in the nose. The flashback then shows Caleb looking down at his fingers, lightly spattered with blood from his injury. He smiles and buries his face in Jack's neck, claiming Jack as one of his own. "It's all coming back to you, isn't it?" Caleb asks as the flashback ends and Jack holds his hand to his face, trying to shield himself from the memories he struggled to repress. "No way, no way," Jack mutters. "Then give me another version, Jack. Explain these feelings you've been having, these changes. Tell me how you can explain these in [Caleb pauses] human terms. Look at me. You know what I'm talking about. Hmmm. Heightened senses, insatiable hunger. Superhuman strength. And let's not forget that neat trick of bursting out of your own grave. You can't be destroyed the normal way. Hell, if you play your cards right, you're half way to being immortal. Like me." "No," Jack shudders as Caleb looks at him with sidelong glances. "Welcome to the family, Jack." Caleb looks up at the night sky. "Welcome to the family." He smiles and purses his lips. "No, I'm not like you. Whatever you are," Jack persists. "Oh, c'mon Brother. Say it with me. A vampire. The blood is the life, Jack. But then again you've experienced that already, haven't you?" "What do you mean?" Jack asks, shaken by the realization that Caleb knows the secret to Jack's mysterious need. "You felt bad. Then you felt better. Let's see . . .[Caleb puts his fingers to his mouth, as if pondering, mocking Jack's puzzlement.] What changed? What did Jack receive?" [He emphasizes each word with a jab of his finger against his chin.] "Oh my God . . . a blood transfusion," Jack gasps. "We have a winner. Ding, Ding, Ding," Caleb jokes. "It took the hunger right away, didn't it? Because you were fed." "That's sick. You're sick," Jack replies. "But it all came back. There's only one way to satisfy it. More," Caleb smiles knowingly, as he explains the nature of their shared addiction, the bittersweet brotherhood Jack wants to cast aside. |
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| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by N. Klein and A. Armstrong. |