There are several Star Trek references: The psychologist is named Dr. Picard, like Captain Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987); when Johnny disintegrates his last words are "Beam me up, Scotty"; and during Dr. Picard's daydream when he's infected he shouts "Captain, the dilithium crystals are gone!". Tim Russ, who plays Dr. Picard, went on to star in Star Trek: Voyager (1995) as Commander Tuvok.