In this episode Murdoch introduces us to what will later be referred to as the "truthizer," S5 E9 Invention Convention. Murdoch's truthizer is based on the pneumograph, invented by French scientist, physiologist and chronophotographer Jules-Etienne Marey in 1883. The original pneumograph, a pressure-sensing device, consisted of only the strap placed around the chest to measure respiration. It did not include the tube with blue liquid. That is Murdoch's extension of the product to create what essentially is a polygraph (lie detector) which was invented at the University of California, Berkeley in 1921.
When Dr Isaac Tash is taking Det. Murdoch to the spot where the rowers' hazing took place, it is learned that Det. Murdoch has known Dr Ogden for two years come March 12, a date he remembers because it was a double murder committed by a 14-year old boy of his parents (and, it is implied, the first case they worked on together).
The 1896 Olympics, the First Olympiad of the modern era, was held in Athens Greece. The Second Olympiad in 1900 was held in Paris.
During the demonstration of his lie detector device by Det. Murdoch in the first scene, it is learned that he lives at 22 Ontario Street.
Charlotte Sullivan who plays Minerva Fairchild reprises her role in season 3 episode 7. Murdoch recognizes her but she replies her name is Charlotte. In the later episode her real life husband, Peter Stebbings, plays Murdoch's nemesis, James Pendrick.