| "Tainted Love" Diary 34 (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. |
| ************************************* Subplots begin to quickly converge in the next two episodes and then reach a unified intensity. Jack decides that the only way to keep Livvie safe is to take her away from Port Charles, Lucy begins to piece together the mysterious juxtaposition of events linking the Stranger and the Baby cards of her Tarot deck, and Eve invites Father Michael to stay with her and Ian while he contemplates his next mission. Having Father Michael in their house creates tension between Eve and Ian, ruining Ian's romantic plans for a private evening with his wife and sparking his jealousy as he suspects that Michael may have more than priestly affection for Eve. Indeed, throughout his interactions with Eve and Ian, Michael acts awkward, shy, and furtive, as if he is uneasy with his feelings for Eve. His eyes dart nervously from Eve to Ian as the newlyweds watch TV and eat popcorn. Later, when he is alone in the guest room, he glances sneakily around the room, then takes out an amulet which he vows will protect Eve and her baby. The episode ends with the image of hands, presumably Caleb's, caressing Livvie's picture. The implication here seems to be that both aspects--Caleb and Father Michael--long for a woman who is in love with someone else. Both yearn and obsess, minds and hearts swirling with discord. |
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| The subsequent episode opens with Livvie and Jack at the retreat, the place Jack chose for them to escape Caleb, which is, ironically, Father Michael's/Caleb's monastery. Leaving Livvie asleep on a pew, Jack ventures down into the basement, where he is suddenly approached by Caleb. "Of all the churches in the world, you happen to stumble into mine," Caleb remarks, leaning against the stairway. "Well, now that you're here what are we going to do for fun?" Throughout this episode Caleb is illuminated in soft glowing light, a chiaroscuro similar to the works of Renaissance and Baroque painters. The golden light emphasizes the radiantly ethereal yet sensual beauty of his features. He is a god, reflecting sublime contrasts--angelic yet demonic, rapturous yet predatory. Michael Easton as Caleb embodies all these contradictions, appearing at times innocent, sweet, cherubic, yet at other times ferocious, evil, serpentine. |
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| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A.. Armstrong. |
| As Jack frantically looks around the room, Caleb rubs his hands and smiles. "Too bad, Jack. I'm afraid it's just us." He accentuates his point by using his telekinetic powers to slam the door, preventing escape. "I don't get it. I didn't think . . . " Jack mumbles. "Think I dared to cross the threshold of a sacred place? Wait-- don't tell me, Jack. You got garlic around your neck? C'mon. . . ." "But how?" Jack asks in bewilderment. "Stories," Caleb explains. "I love linguini carbonara with extra garlic. Little sprig of wolfsbane on the top. Ummm." [He kisses and waves his fingers in an expression of sensual delight]. |
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| "Wash it down with a big mug of holy water. Oh, I admit . . . I burn real easy in the sunlight. [Caleb throws back his head, letting the sun bathe his face, receiving its benediction, the divine caress befitting a fellow god.] But all that stuff about shriveling to dust if we're out after sunrise. That's all Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, Jack. All the things you thought you memorized from the late night movies. [He laughs]. Wrong, Jack. Dead wrong." |
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