| "Tainted Love" Diary 26 (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. |
"Have you ever met someone and you knew that you'd follow them to the end of the earth, no matter what?" Gabby asks Livvie. "Someone who filled you with the most exquisite longing you have ever known, who makes you feel like nothing else matters, nothing except the powerful connection the two of you share?" Although Livvie hesitantly replies that she's felt that way with Jack, Gabby explains, "It's not like that, not like being with an ordinary man. This man has a way of looking at me like he sees right through me, right to my very soul. And when he touches me, it's electric. I want nothing more than to be his, totally and completely his." As Gabby talks, Livvie remembers being with Caleb in the cave, his magical world. "Just thinking about him fills me with the most incredible excitement," Gabby continues. "I would give anything to see him again." After Gabby leaves, Livvie looks rather shaken and puzzled. "Gabby and that guy," she says to herself, "it sounds just like Caleb. Why can't I stop thinking about him? What is the matter with me?" Thinking back to her time with Caleb in the cave, Livvie decides that she has to see him again. While Jack and Jamal are in an occult book store researching vampires, they discover one of Caleb's most urgent needs--the vampiric desire to form a coven, a family, and it's this need for a semblance of "normal" human bonds that is key to Caleb's plans for Eve's as yet unborn child. Driven by loneliness and isolation, yearning to fill the emptiness of being alone, one of a kind in a world of mortals, an observer and taker of life, Caleb longs to have a family. However, since he is unable as a vampire to father children, he must steal someone else's child and raise it as his own. Perhaps it's Caleb's need for family that also makes him seek imaginary conflict as well as comfort of sorts with his "brother." Even though he is an eternal outcast, Caleb still has a need for love and connection. Caleb and "Michael" re-enact their constant struggle for supremacy within Caleb's consciousness. Together in the cave (symbolizing the unconscious), they argue over Eve's child. "Don't do this again. I'm begging of you," Michael pleads with Caleb. "I don't have to DO anything, Michael," Caleb says, stretching, seemingly at ease and confident. "Once Olivia is reminded of what she feels for me she'll come to me on her own. She'll ask to join me. And then she'll be mine forever." "To be the monster that you are?" Michael asks with disgust. "Is that the idea?" Laughing at Michael's histrionics and scorn, Caleb scoffs, "Oh, man, look at yourself. You can't even say it, can you? I'm a vampire, Michael. And don't knock it unless you tried it. Everlasting life, unlimited power. It rocks." Michael then sternly reminds Caleb that "vampires don't reproduce," but Caleb refuses to let this little technicality get to him. Blinking sweetly and feigning innocence, Caleb replies, "All I want is what you and the Good Book preach. To go forth and multiply," Caleb smirks. "And I will with Olivia and that special child we so richly deserve." "What special child?" Michael asks warily. "Eve's child. Who else?" Caleb answers, with another smirk. |
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| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |