The map showing the territories of the Federation and Klingon Empire show Klingon outposts called 'Khitomer' and 'Rura Penthe'. Both planets played a big role in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), and Khitomer is also noteworthy as the place where Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) spent most of his youth.
The title is a quote from Homer's Iliad. The full sentence goes like this: "There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover's whisper, irresistible--magic to make the sanest man go mad."
This is the first episode of the "Star Trek" franchise since Encounter at Farpoint (1987) not to feature a cold open.
Sara Mitich, who portrays the cyborg bridge officer Airiam in season 1, can be seen out of her heavy makeup as an extra in several scenes. Though unconfirmed, it is possible this character is Lt. Cmdr. Nilsson, the character Mitich would play from season 2 onward.
Mudd refers to Lieutenant Commander Bryce as "random communications officer" whilst holding the dark matter weapon suggesting he's a red shirt about to be killed. He is not killed subverting the trope.