Tom Benko's (editor, writer, director and production manager) original idea for this episode came from the question of what might happen if the Jews and the Nazis were forced to work together after World War II.
First appearance of Damar.
This is the second and final appearance of Cyia Batten as Ziyal. In her next appearance (For the Cause (1996)), she is played by Tracy Middendorf. In all subsequent appearances, Melanie Smith embodies the role. Ms. Batten, like many performers, can be seen in other Trek series (Enterprise and Voyager) as other species.
The model of Dukat's ship, the Groumall, was designed by production artist John Eaves, who had just joined the staff of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993). His initial design drew inspiration from the Cardassian warships previously seen on the series. The producers felt it looked too militaristic, and asked him to come up with something more "freighter-y". His new design was based on an oil tanker, with a raised bridge at the rear of the ship. The model was later modified to portray a Klingon ship in Sons and Daughters (1997). Eaves went on to have a long and successful career with the Star Trek franchise, designing a number of ships, including the Enterprise E.
This episode acts as a sequel of sorts to Indiscretion (1995), and as such, it represents the next stage in the writers' attempts to evolve the character of Gul Dukat. Episodes such as The Maquis, Part II (1994), Civil Defense (1994), Defiant (1994), Explorers (1995), and The Way of the Warrior (1995) had created a much softer picture of him than seen in the first season and the earlier episodes of the second season (such as the episode Cardassians (1993), where he is very much the villain of the piece). Also, Civil Defense (1994) introduced the fact that Dukat was attracted to Kira, something which was very much to the fore in Indiscretion (1995) as well as it is here.