The script helped Mihoko out, though... Portia was much less of a character in the original. Although I haven't read it since high school, I don't remember there being any significant female roles at all, except of the "shut up, woman!" variety. I agree with you that she tends to do a lot with what she's given, though. :) Watching her in the Turandot shinjinkouen was... interesting. ^_^;