Andy refers to the original Turk, created in 1770, as an automaton, which the device was purported to be. However, since the mid-nineteenth century, the Turk has been known to be merely a hoax, with a human being sitting within the machine playing chess, rather than the machine playing by itself.
Actor Phil Morris contributed an uncredited portrayal of the character Miles Dyson in a photograph in Pilot (2008). A scene with the character was written and possibly even shot for this episode, but eventually left out for unknown reasons. Due to contractual reasons, however, Morris still receives main guest credit, without appearing in the episode.
J. Robert Oppenheimer, post Trinity Atomic bomb test, quotes, "I am become death...". In the Bhagavad Gita, that line is spoken by Vishnu trying to convince a pacifist, who really does not want to fight in a war, that sometimes you must fight, sometimes you just have to kill all the bad guys.
After a particularly poignant scene ends, a message appears: "If you or anyone you know has feelings of suicide, please contact The National Suicide Prevent Lifeline, which provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Please reach out to 1-800-273-8255." Since the episode's airing, the network of crisis centers has been renamed 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the phone number changed to the shorter three-digit 988 (though the original, longer number will still function). Canada has followed suit with its 988 expected implementation date as November 30, 2023.