Toby's part in this episode mimicks the part of L.B. Jeffries in Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window" (1954).
This is the first Christmas-themed episode in the series. Though the "Taking This One to the Grave" episode which aired in its fifth season, features Christmas, it is not the main theme.
This is Sydney's last appearance of the show, until "The Darkest knight" in season seven.