"Tainted Love" Diary 42 (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.
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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Caleb's enemies proliferate and his inner battle escalates into violence as Caleb faces increasingly bitter conflict
from external and internal forces.
While Lucy, Jamal, Jack, and Alison reveal to a doubting Kevin that Caleb is a vampire, Ian begins to suspect
Father Michael's intentions regarding Eve. Ian's suspicions appear to be confirmed when Caleb forces "Michael"
to examine his feelings towards Eve.
During this confrontation between Caleb and his priestly alter ego, Michael Easton brilliantly accentuates and then
blurs the contrasts between the two opposing halves of Caleb's psyche. Throughout most of the scene, Father
Michael has a stern, inflexible demeanor, his face barely changing expression as he reiterates his promise to keep
Caleb from destroying anyone else. As Caleb, however, Michael Easton reveals continually shifting fluctuations in
facial expression. He mocks, smirks, smiles innocently, snarls, sneers lewdly, but then suddenly, movingly, lets
us glimpse Caleb's sadness and vulnerable, aching loneliness. Towards the end of the conversation, the contrasts
between Caleb's warring aspects begin to fade; Caleb's inner pain and Michael's suppressed violence are exposed
as each "brother" seems to take on characteristics of the other.
"You can't intimidate me. You should know this by now, Caleb," Michael challenges Caleb as the two face off in
an alley.
"That's right. Your noble crusade to keep me from the rest of the world," Caleb scoffs, pretending to act scared.
Caleb's enemies proliferate and his inner battle escalates into violence as Caleb faces increasingly bitter conflict
from external and internal forces.
While Lucy, Jamal, Jack, and Alison reveal to a doubting Kevin that Caleb is a vampire, Ian begins to suspect
Father Michael's intentions regarding Eve. Ian's suspicions appear to be confirmed when Caleb forces "Michael"
to examine his feelings towards Eve.
During this confrontation between Caleb and his priestly alter ego, Michael Easton brilliantly accentuates and then
blurs the contrasts between the two opposing halves of Caleb's psyche. Throughout most of the scene, Father
Michael has a stern, inflexible demeanor, his face barely changing expression as he reiterates his promise to keep
Caleb from destroying anyone else. As Caleb, however, Michael Easton reveals continually shifting fluctuations in
facial expression. He mocks, smirks, smiles innocently, snarls, sneers lewdly, but then suddenly, movingly, lets
us glimpse Caleb's sadness and vulnerable, aching loneliness. Towards the end of the conversation, the contrasts
between Caleb's warring aspects begin to fade; Caleb's inner pain and Michael's suppressed violence are exposed
as each "brother" seems to take on characteristics of the other.
"You can't intimidate me. You should know this by now, Caleb," Michael challenges Caleb as the two face off in
an alley.
"That's right. Your noble crusade to keep me from the rest of the world," Caleb scoffs, pretending to act scared.
"You are hurting innocent lives."
"Hmmm," Caleb pauses. "And whose innocent life would you be protecting most? . . . Let me guess."
"I won't let you destroy anyone else," Michael vows.
Ignoring Michael's repetitive refrain, Caleb mockingly puts his finger to his lips as if in deep thought. "Young,
pretty, married, pregnant, named after the first mother."
"Hmmm," Caleb pauses. "And whose innocent life would you be protecting most? . . . Let me guess."
"I won't let you destroy anyone else," Michael vows.
Ignoring Michael's repetitive refrain, Caleb mockingly puts his finger to his lips as if in deep thought. "Young,
pretty, married, pregnant, named after the first mother."
"I have taken steps to protect Eve," Michael persists, annoyed with Caleb's humor.
"That's what I love about you, Michael," Caleb smiles. "You're so by the book. Even when it comes to falling for
someone."
"I won't let you create some twisted family with Livvie. And you are not taking Eve's baby," Michael warns.
"Really?" Caleb says with an amused look. "Well. Tell me what steps [he makes a gesture of putting quotation
marks around the word "steps"] you have taken to stop me?"
"That's what I love about you, Michael," Caleb smiles. "You're so by the book. Even when it comes to falling for
someone."
"I won't let you create some twisted family with Livvie. And you are not taking Eve's baby," Michael warns.
"Really?" Caleb says with an amused look. "Well. Tell me what steps [he makes a gesture of putting quotation
marks around the word "steps"] you have taken to stop me?"
"I've moved in with Eve and her husband," Michael explains with his usual deadpan expression.
"Using me as an excuse, I'll bet," Caleb laughs. "Tell me, does Mr. Eve know you have the hots for his wife?"
"Using me as an excuse, I'll bet," Caleb laughs. "Tell me, does Mr. Eve know you have the hots for his wife?"
"Is this fun for you?" Michael asks in a patronizing tone.
"A blast. She really does it for you, doesn't she, Michael?" Caleb comments, making a lewd expression.
"Eve and her baby are off limits. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe from you."
"Well, well, well," Caleb teases, "Mikey's in love."
As Michael looks embarrassed and flustered, Caleb keeps goading him, delighting in his power to humiliate and
provoke. "Maybe we should get some champagne and toast to breaking your vows," he jokes.
"You never did understand," Michael says solemnly.
"Enlighten me," Caleb replies. "Oh, now, wait. . . . you've already done that."
"A blast. She really does it for you, doesn't she, Michael?" Caleb comments, making a lewd expression.
"Eve and her baby are off limits. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe from you."
"Well, well, well," Caleb teases, "Mikey's in love."
As Michael looks embarrassed and flustered, Caleb keeps goading him, delighting in his power to humiliate and
provoke. "Maybe we should get some champagne and toast to breaking your vows," he jokes.
"You never did understand," Michael says solemnly.
"Enlighten me," Caleb replies. "Oh, now, wait. . . . you've already done that."
Snappies of "Tainted
Love" scenes taken
by A. Armstrong
Love" scenes taken
by A. Armstrong