Portrait of A Lady is, of course, a novel by Henry James. This has nothing to do with that. The first part of the story literally is about Marion getting her portrait painted. She does it in Liverpool, of course, with Lily and Li as companions.

It is literally true that ladies used to be painted when they were pregnant in case they died in childbirth. Dublin Castle has a portrait gallery full of pictures of women, many of whom didn’t make it. It is a very sad fact of history. But Marion IS going to make it. Theta Sigma fans know that much.

Theta Sigma fans will also know something of the history of that painting. They know that a miniature version of it was copied onto the inside of a watch case in enamel paints, and that young Chrístõ carried it with him on his first day at the Prydonian Academy. This story was actually written after the one in which Chrístõ remembered his school days, and retrospectively fills in the story of how and why her portrait was painted on an Earth watch with only twelve hours, not thirteen as in Gallifreyan time.

That is the point of the first part of the story, anyway. The second part is a set up for the following two episodes, introducing Paula Willis, who had once been in the same foster home as Marion.

And, frankly, I stand behind the points made in this story. It is possible to be poor without being a criminal. Even on the worst council estates it isn’t necessary to steal cars, shoplift or deal drugs. It is perfectly possible to live even on basic benefits without resorting to crime. I have managed to do so. I absolutely no sympathy with Paula Wills types and no time for her sort. And there is no reason why Marion should have any sympathy with her character.

But more of that, later.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Portrait_of_a_Lady

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/