This episode was submitted to the American Film Institute for consideration for TV program of the year. It subsequently won the award.
The Greek songs (performed by Stelios Kazantzidis) were chosen by George Pelecanos who is Greek American.
The passport that Vondas receives from the Greek at their dinner meeting late in the episode has "Republika Hrvatska" which is the country of Croatia.
Clifton Gross, Steve Lukiewski and Paul G. Sepczynski are all real-life stevedores who appear as stevedores in this episode. Lukiewski is a hiring hall dispatcher and emulates this position when Sobotka uses another member's card to work. Gross and Sepczynski are the stevedores helping Sobotka to unload the ship.
Although credited, John Doman, Frankie Faison, Wood Harris and Andre Royo do not appear in this episode.