During the flashback scenes, Mike and Archie debate the possibility of President Nixon visiting China. During the time setting of the flashback (approximately 1970), such a prospect was almost inconceivable, and this was something of a reference to Nixon's state visit to China which occurred earlier in 1972, the year of the episode's production and original airing.
Michael Conrad, who played Mike's Uncle Cass, went on to play Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on the TV series "Hill Street Blues", whose iconic line at the end of each roll call was "Let's be careful out there."
The first two-parter during the show's run.
The second of three flashback stories during the series' run.