| "Tainted Love" Diary 68 (c) 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. |
| The main focus of the episode, however, is on Caleb and Livvie's failed wedding. Near the beginning of this episode, tying in with the preceding one, Caleb and Livvie are shown in the midst of their wedding. For some reason the ceremony seen here is shorter and less vivid than the one closing the preceding episode, lacking the evocative references to "bone, flesh and heart," "a joyful "covenant," and being "entwined for all eternity." "As the sun dies and the mist of night rises, sweet children, " the Judge intones in this abbreviated version, "my honor and duty and pleasure it is to join these fated souls as willing wife and husband, through this life and the many lives and generations that will follow. If there be anyone who would object to this union, speak now or eternally hold your peace." It is at that fateful moment, of course, that Jack makes his brash, disruptive entrance. Instead of emphasizing Caleb's sad, rather fatalistic expression as he reacts to Jack's intrusion, this version is more abrupt and rushed, less psychologically subtle, and Caleb seems more in control. Perhaps this signals a change in point of view. Whereas in the Villa scenes, we were seeing the events primarily though Caleb and Livvie's eyes, savoring the magic, beauty, and passion of their fairytale romance, in this episode we are seeing the scenes primarily from the point of view of Caleb's enemies, and, as a result, the atmosphere is more prosaic. "Jack, do you mind? We're kind of in the middle of a wedding," Caleb says sarcastically as Jack bursts into the room, bringing the ceremony to a halt. Although Caleb tries to persuade Livvie to go upstairs so that he can "handle this little mess," Livvie insists on staying, asking him to let her have a few moments alone with Jack. "I trusted you, Caleb," she reminds him. "I'm just asking for you to trust me." |
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| Granting her request, Caleb goes out to the terrace while Livvie talks with Jack. During their conversation Jack hypocritically resorts to some of the same types of manipulative tactics he accuses Caleb of using--trying to convince Livvie that she doesn't know what she really thinks or feels, that only he knows what is best for her. When Livvie tells Jack that she knows "exactly who Caleb is and what he's planning to do," explaining that she is "going to be reborn into this wonderful world," Jack replies that Caleb has "tricked" her. "His world is not an eternal pleace. It's an eternal hell. Hell on earth," Jack argues. Not until Livvie remarks "You don't know that" does Jack finally confess that he's a vampire also. How long, we may wonder, would Jack have tried to keep this a secret. Claiming that he was afraid of becoming a "beast" like Caleb and hurting her, Jack admits that he didn't want to tell Livvie the truth because he was afraid that she would regard him with hatred and disgust. By withholding this information from Livvie, he was trying to protect himself as well as Livvie, shielding her from a truth he paternalistically felt she was too fragile to know and trying to preserve her image of him. |
| "That's
the difference between you and Caleb," Livvie perceptively points
out to Jack, "He made me understand so I wouldn't be afraid."
However, Jack refuses to acknowledge the fact that she has chosen Caleb. "Listen to yourself. Those are not your words," he tries to persuade her. "Caleb has you so far in his spell." "Think what you like, Jack, and whatever helps you get through this," she replies, sensing his self-protective denial, and rejecting his smothering, patronizing love. However, she then goes on to parrot some of the statements Caleb repeatedly told her, thereby indicating that she has been influenced to some degree by Caleb. "But you're my past, and Caleb - - he's my future," Livvie adds, using Caleb's words, echoing his phrases. It is evident here that both Caleb and Jack have manipulated Livvie- -Jack by sheltering her, trying to keep her an innocent child, and Caleb by creating illusions to make her believe her wishes had come true. Neither was completely honest. Both wanted an incomplete, idealized Livvie that could be shaped to fit their conceptions. Jack wanted the sweet, naive side of Livvie that later, in "Naked Eyes" was embodied by Tess, and Caleb wanted the more passionate, sensual, womanly Livvie he sensed was simmering within her, waiting to be released. Livvie's conflicts, later represented by her split into "Livvie" and "Tess" begin here, in "Tainted Love" as she is being pulled into two directions by those she loves. While Livvie and Jack talk, Jack continually treats Livvie like a little girl who doesn't know her own thoughts and feelings. "You don't love Caleb," Jack again tries to convince Livvie and himself. "It's a power he has over you, that's all." When she tells Jack that he doesn't know how she feels, Jack replies, "Caleb--Livvie he's planted all these emotions inside your head. He's put a picture of this fairytale life in there, and it's not real. Not like what we have." Then when she insists that she has chosen Caleb, Jack says, "No. No that's what he's made you believe. He chose you, though. He lured you into his sick little trap." Although it is true that Caleb created for Livvie a "fairytale" world, it's also evident that she willingly embraced the darker aspects of his magic, longing for the vampire gifts that would bestow power, immortality, and sensory delights beyond compare. When Caleb re-enters the scene, he, like Jack, accuses his opponent of manipulation and brainwashing. "Don't listen to him, Olivia," he urges. " Jack's the one trying to brainwash you with these memories from your past. That's all they are--memories. . . . I'm the one you want, Olivia. Isn't that right? It's me? [Livvie nods her head.] There she told you who she wants. Now get out, and I'll spare your miserable life." |
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| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |