Arik Soong is played by Brent Spiner, best known for playing Lt. Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). Comments by production staff (as well as the casting of Spiner) indicated that Arik Soong was intended to be the great-grandfather of Noonien Soong, Data's creator (also played by Spiner). This is supported by Arik Soong's comment about cybernetics, when he said that developing an artificial life form "might take a generation or two." While writing his notes, it can be noted that Arik Soong is left-handed, just like his great-grandson, and his android creations.
The new Captain's Chair is actually from Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). In a deleted scene after Captain Riker leaves, Picard sits in it and pushes a button, which activates a seat belt, thus Trip's in-joke about "try not to hit that button." The seat belt "ports" are still easily visible on the back rest.
The character Persis is named in tribute to Persis Khambatta, who played Lt. Ilia in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). She died of a heart attack on August 18, 1998 at the age of 49.
When Paul Wight's character picks up T'Pol and shakes her with excitement as she is sold off into slavery, this was done with no wirework or stunt work. Due in no small part to his massive size and strength, Wight was able to pick up Blalock with almost no effort all by himself.
The costumes and make-up worn by the Augments intentionally serve as a bridge in similarity to the Eugenics Wars veterans seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).