James is revealed to be a fan of the science fiction series 'Doctor Who.' As this episode takes place before the 2005 reboot starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, he would only be familiar with what fans now call "Classic Who," the original iteration of the series which aired from 1963 to 1989. When he arrives to take Erin to the dance, he is wearing a scarf similar to that worn by the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker (He is also wearing a bow tie, a trademark of the second Doctor, Patrick Troughton).
Mae Chung, the new girl in school: the culture shock Sister Michael thinks she might be feeling would derive from coming from the Republic to N. Ireland; from Donegal town to Derry is a drive of just about an hour and a quarter.