CSI: NY

Hawkes mentions a robo-spanker as one of the things he would expect to find in the married threesome's house. This is an allusion to 1x16 Hush, in which Danny and Aiden worked a case about human bondage where one of the items confiscated was a robo-spanker.

James Vackner: (After he is confronted with proof that he was the mermaid murderer) So it goes. This line can be a possible reference to the Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse Five, where "So it goes" was said when any character died.

Mermaid Parade: At the beginning of the episode, Mac and Stella make a reference to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade after they pull the mermaid out of the water. The Coney Island Mermaid Parade, which began in 1983, was started by Dick Zigun, founder of Coney Island, USA. The Mermaid Parade celebrates the start of the Summer season, and pays homage to original Coney Island Mardi Gras parades from the early 20th century. It takes place annually on the first Saturday of Summer- rain or shine.

Stella: Ripped from the headlines. This line is a direct reference to Law and Order's TAG line, in which a good majority of its episodes are based on real-life stories.