Anakin gives the same hand motion to signal R2 to launch his lightsaber to him that his son Luke gives on Tatooine in Return of the Jedi.
The 'Jedi fortune cookie' message that opens the show reads "Those who enslave others inevitably become slaves themselves."
This story arc adapts Henry Gilroy's 2008 6 part Clone Wars comic book story 'Slaves of the Republic' originally published by Dark Horse. 'Slaves of the Republic' uses elements from Star Wars The Clone Wars no. 3 (cover dated December 2008), 4 (February 2009) and 5 (April 2009).
When undercover, Anakin uses the name Lars Quell. Lars is the last name of his stepfather Cliegg Lars and stepbrother Owen Lars.
On Zygerria, Gorga the Hutt is seen inspecting some Talz slaves and Marlo the Hutt is present in the auction at the arena.