This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
- The 2007 Norman Hsu scandal.
- The 2006-2007 Larry Craig sex scandal.
- The suicide of Vince Foster and the conspiracy theories surrounding it.
- A supporting character is based on Hillary Clinton.
John Doman played five different characters over the course of the series:
- Episode 1.22 The Blue Wall (1991) - Bailiff.
- Episode 7.20 We Like Mike (1997) - Sergeant Frank Gottlieb.
- Episode 9.9 True North (1998) - Mr. Stephens.
- Episode 13.18 Maritime (2003) - Howard Ridgeway.
- Episode 18.6 Political Animal (2008) - Jim Gilles.