| "Tainted Love" Diary 78 (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. |
| "I . . . I know that you have feelings for me, Michael . . " Eve explains. "I wish that I could make you understand that I--that I--I do love you for what you've done." "But you're in love with your husband," Michael adds. "Wildly and completely," she says, insensitively flaunting her love for Ian while Michael grieves alone. "You're married to Ian and I have the church." He has a sad, sickened smile. "Well, the truth is--my life is almost unrecognizable." Michael again reminds Eve of his feelings for her. "I destroyed Caleb and I - - -I have these feelings for you, " he confesses, "feelings I shouldn't have but . . . but it wouldn't change knowing you. Even with everything's that's happened, you . . . you opened by eyes, Eve. You made me come alive, made me feel things I've . . . I've never felt before." Like Livvie's effects on Caleb, Eve has awakened and aroused repressed desires, stirring the beast within. Two women, two unwitting temptresses, Eve and Livvie have brought chaos into the tightly contained equilibrium that the Michael and Caleb aspects had maintained for years, perhaps centuries. "And I have never known a truer friend," Eve replies. "When I needed your help, you didn't hesitate. You’re a wonderful man, Michael," she says, kissing him just as Ian walks in, but then later abandoning him when he has no one for support. |
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| When Eve informs Ian that Michael has sacrificed his brother for their safety, instead of being grateful or sympathetic, Ian is callous, rude, and distrustful. "So you killed your brother," he grumbles. "But you won't tell anyone how." He then demands to know where Michael put Caleb's body. "My brother's dead! What do you want from me? His head on a silver platter?" Michael asks, shocked at Ian's inhumanity. |
| "Doesn't have to be silver, Michael," Ian snorts, revealing here
his total disregard for the emotions and family loyalties of
others. Although Ian is perhaps supposed to be perceived as a
heroic character, his narrow-minded, hypocritical refusals to
acknowledge anyone else's feelings show him to be a prime example of
humans' tendencies to demonize anyone they consider outside their
code of morality. Like Chris and his gleeful experimentations on
Gabby, Ian's system of ethics fails to include any being that falls
outside of his definition of human. In retrospect, it is fitting justice that Ian was turned into a vampire in a later arc ("Surrender") and had to experience for himself the prejudice and double standards he used against others he considered subhuman. Demanding assurance that his family is now safe, Ian asks to see proof of Caleb's demise. "You want to see the blood, Ian?" Michael snarls, assuming some of Caleb's furious indignation. "Is that it"? You want to see Caleb's broken body? Is that what you want to see? I just told you I killed my own twin, the brother I have looked after my entire life. Do you think I would lie about something like that?" |
| Although in a literal sense Michael is telling a lie since Caleb is
not dead, it appears that "Michael" truly believes he exists as a separate
individual from Caleb. As an extreme manifestation of denial and
self-loathing, "Michael" keeps the human side of Caleb alive while
paradoxically allowing both aspects to survive within society by
repressing his socially threatening vampire instincts. Interceding and trying to create some peace between these warring rivals, Eve says she believes Michael, and reluctantly Ian backs down. However, Ian remains rude and unsympathetic, telling Michael, "We'll get on with our lives. You get on with yours--far away from here. Do you understand me?" |
| Snappies of "Tainted Love" scenes taken by A. Armstrong |