This is the second and last time Crockett is shot in the line of duty during the series. Previously, he was shot in the forearm in Stone's War (1986). He was also stabbed in the shoulder by Lois Blyth in Love at First Sight (1988). Additionally, in Leap of Faith (1989), it is mentioned that Crockett was shot a third time in 1976 (in an incident involving Captain Paul Cutter). In comparison, Tubbs was shot no less than five times during the series -in Brother's Keeper (1984), Viking Bikers from Hell (1987), Mirror Image (1988) (by Sonny Burnett), To Have and to Hold (1989) and Freefall (1989).
Stock operation footage is used to depict the doctors operating on Crockett after his arrival at the hospital.
This is the final episode which John Petersen would contribute background music. The final two episodes of season four, Deliver Us from Evil (1988) and Mirror Image (1988), would be scored by Jan Hammer exclusively (except for the pop music used) at the studio's request.
The appearance of Elvis in the flashback to Whatever Works (1985) is the first time Crockett's pet alligator has been seen since Crockett had a photograph of him in Love at First Sight (1988) earlier in the season. This would in fact be the last time Elvis appears or is mentioned on the show at all until the montage over the end credits of Freefall (1989).
This was the final episode filmed for the fourth season, likely to increase secrecy surrounding its plot and to call Crockett's survival into question. In fact, there were rumors among fans at the time that Crockett was indeed going to be killed off (much like Larry Zito in season three).