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The next episode establishes three major plot developments for the Tainted Love arc: (1) Jack, mysteriously back from the dead, now possesses inexplicable quirks and gifts (2) Caleb and Jack share a
mysterious bond, (3) Caleb meets Gabby for the first time and begins his seduction of her.
At the bike shop Jamal, Alison, Livvie, and Jack discuss Jack's amazing re-emergence from the grave. Jamal and Alison keep trying to figure out how Jack got out of his grave, but Livvie just wants to rejoice in Jack's miraculous recovery. Still feeling sick from his transformation, Jack ventures into the alley to get some air. Finding a match, he lights it and is transfixed by the glow of the flame. His eyes gleam, reflecting the light. In the corner of the alley, Caleb lurks, watching Jack, his eyes also glittering and wild. As he looks at Jack, he says to himself, "Surprised he made it back so fast. Doesn't matter." There's a shot of both of them, Jack in the foreground, unaware of Caleb's presence, Caleb in the background, their eyes mirroring each other in their unearthly, eerie gaze. Approaching Jack slowly, Caleb slinks gracefully, moving almost sideways, his eyes fixed upon Jack with a smoldering sensual hunger. He slouches, sexually suggestive and dangerous in his predatory allure. (Never have I seen anyone so powerfully sizzle with an elemental erotic force as Michael Easton does in this scene. He is beyond human--ineffable, pure, unfiltered, undiluted sexual/animal essence. ) Just as Caleb seems about to attack Jack, Chris appears and Caleb slinks behind the wall again. (As before, Caleb resorts to hiding rather than disappearing; at this point in the arc there is no suggestion of his vampiric ability to vanish at will.)
Inside the bike shop, Jack and Chris argue. Chris's insulting references to Livvie's switching from brother to brother enrage Jack to an insane fury, and he suddenly strangles Chris, almost killing
him--another hint of Jack's supernatural prowess.
As Caleb comes out from behind the wall again, he sees Gabby for the first time. Fumbling in her purse, she isn't watching where she's going and almost bumps into him. "Sorry," she says, flustered. "I'm
not," Caleb replies, charmingly. "Do I know you," she asks, seemingly surprised at his familiarity. "You will soon," he
promises. "Excuse me?" she says, not knowing what to make of Caleb's
mysterious remarks. "And very well," Caleb continues, looking into her eyes with an unwavering, mesmerizing stare that compels and enchants, bending her forever to his will. |
