This episode pays homage to another show that was being shot in the Washington state region at the same time - Twin Peaks (1990). The falls that Joel and Elaine visit are the Snoqualmie Falls which are also featured in the David Lynch/ Mark Frost show, the music is very reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti's iconic score and there are references to coffee, cherry pie and a Log Lady.
Joel's brief voice-over narration near the start of this episode is the only time that device is used in the series. This does NOT include Chris's many voice overs throughout the series, which do advance an episode's narrative, but which are done in character as part of his broadcasts on Cicely's radio station KBHR.
Joel accidentally bangs his head on the airplane wing bracket when seeing Elaine off to Anchorage. It is clearly an accident as Elaine stifles a laugh but maintains composure.
John Aylward makes a repeat appearance from the pilot... as a pilot.
Both in Joel's (Rob Morrow) dream sequence and in his waking life, when others mistake his fiancee Elaine (Jessica Lundy) for his sister, he quickly corrects them and flatly states that he has no sister. Throughout the series, no mention is ever made of Joel's having any siblings--except in Birds of a Feather (1993), when Joel and his father Herb (David Margulies) discuss Joel's sister in a matter-of-fact manner (it is not a dream or fantasy sequence) regarding a vacation during Joel's childhood.