This was Clu Gulager's introduction as Emmett Ryker, a role he would play for the next four years. He had guested in two previous episodes, but as different characters.
Roberta Shore and Randy Boone are now in the opening credits.
When Hagen takes the break shot after his first talk with Ryker, the white cue ball goes flying off camera. It arced high enough to leave the table, so the break shot was a scratch.
The opening scene was an homage to Audie Murphy's GUNSMOKE of 1953.