The edition points up Morecambe and Wise's recent return to ITV: the duo had just signed with Thames Television, who naturally showcased them in their Euston Films flagship. The two "Sweeney" leads had enjoyed working with the comedians on their BBC show, and both parties were keen to rekindle their working relationship.
When Ernie is reading "Goodbye Emmannuelle" in his and Eric's dressing room, a toupee on a wig-stand is a throwaway nod to Eric's perennial gag that his comedy partner wore a hairpiece.
The fish van that Morecambe and Wise escape in is owned by "Brayham's Fresh Fish". This is a reference to Peter Brayham who was the stunt arranger for all four seasons of The Sweeney, though only credited for the final season.
In a way, this episode breaks the fourth wall: before a documentary centering on the doctor character, the famous Thames logo appears with it's signature intro-score: the same logo and music that opens each episode of The Sweeney.
The following actors from this episode later appeared with Dennis Waterman in New Tricks (2003). Edward de Souza (Prof. Frederick Busby) appeared in Ice Cream Wars (2006). And George Irving (2nd Detective) appeared in The Rock: Part One (2013) and The Rock: Part Two (2013)