This is the third of the "Devil" trio of episodes, featuring Melinda McGraw, who plays the ex-wife of Gibbs and Fornell. The other episodes are Devil's Triangle (2011) and Devil's Trifecta (2012).
Ellie's first name is revealed to be Eleanor.
The phone that is handed to Bishop during the meet with the kidnapper is a Samsung Gusto, an entry-level flip phone for prepaid accounts. It was replaced by the Samsung Gusto 2 in spring of 2012, indicating that the kidnapper stocks his burner phones well in advance.
1st appearance of Juliette Angelo as Emily Fornell