The opening quote and loose plot come from the fairytale "The Donkey Cabbage".
Renard's first name, Sean, first revealed by a prop, is verified in dialogue.
Although the episode is cited as being based on "Donkey Cabbages," there is dialogue reminiscent of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," such as Renard commenting to Catherine Schade about beauty in the mirror.
The background of the episode's quote scene is the same as the one used in "Pilot" and "Organ Grinder".
This episode and "Island of Dreams" are both based off of "Donkey Cabbages."