This episode marks the only appearance on the series of the 87th Precinct detectives' most frequent foe in the novels. Here he is referred to as Sordo but in the novels he is known only as the Deaf Man.

Robert Vaughn would go onto play Napoleon Solo on the NBC spy drama The Man from UNCLE.

In this episode we learn that Detective Carella never reads detective stories.

This episode and New Man in the Precinct are the only episodes in which Detecitve Meyer's children appear.

Sordo: Fortunately, we're dealing with a very unimaginative police department.
Rafe: It's that unimaginative police department that sent me to jail.

Carella: Suppose one of these people moves out. What's he gonna do then?
Kling: I never thought of that.
Carella: I've got a hunch the heckler has.

Rafe: (after Sordo shoots Pop) Why'd you do that for? He said he wasn't going to see her again.
Sordo: Because he gave in too easily. He was lying.

Blaney: I like detective stories. They come up with some real challenges for the medical examiner.

Lotte: What are you, a tough cop?
Carella: I can be a tough cop if I think somebody's holding out on me.

Rafe: Why an ice cream truck?
Sordo: Because it's the most innocent looking vehicle you can have.

Carella: Did Smith have any men friends that visited?
Clerk: Mister, when you live in a hotel like this you don't have friends.

Sordo: (to Lotte) It's against my principles to destroy beauty. I"d much rather cherish it.

Havilland: I'd laugh if this guy turns out to be a kook and there's no robbery.
Carella: I could use a laugh like that.

Sordo: (to Lotte) They say money can't buy happiness well I've got news for them. I'm happy already.

Sordo: Hey, fella, you're holding up the line.
Meyer: The line waits.

Carella: Meyer, how does it feel to be up for a commendation?
Meyer: I wouldn't know. My kids are taking all the credit.

The storyline in this episode is very similar to that of an episode of The Untouchables entitled Globe of Death.

Robert Vaughn wins honrs as the slickest villain of the series. His criminal plans are destroyed more by rotten luck and bad timing than top flight detective work on the part of our heroes.