Wesley Crusher is credited but does not make an appearance in this episode. (edit) Carolyn McCormick returns in this episode as Minuet. She was a holodeck character in episode 15 "11001001." (edit) This episode marks the first appearance of the alternate-style comm badges that have the rank insignia on them. These communicators would also be featured in some of the realities seen in Season 7's "Parallels." (edit) Introduces the recurring character of Nurse Alyssa Ogawa. (edit)

Picard: I think it would be best if we were to..
Riker: Shut up!
Picard: I beg your pardon!?
Riker: I said shut up! As in close your mouth and stop talking! (edit)

When Wil Riker is told he was in a coma for 10 days, he doesn't find it curious that he is he still in uniform, and that after 10 days in a coma, his hair is perfect. (edit) When Captain Riker first goes to his quarters and meets his son, Jean-Luc says simply, "Hi Dad." However, Dr Crusher revealed at the beginning of the episode that Riker had been in a coma for 10 days. Seeing his father is okay after coming out of a coma, Riker wouldn't expect Jean-Luc's reaction to be so nonchalant, even in an illusion. (edit) Trivia: In the simulation, the Enterprise has a Ferengi helm officer, and at least one Klingon office in addition to Worf. This is one of two instances in Star Trek in which a simulation features a Ferengi officer in Starfleet. The other is in Voyager's Season 5 episode "In The Flesh." (edit) This is the second episode in which Worf replaces Data as Operations officer. In this episode it's because Data had been promoted to first officer. In Season 3's "The Most Toys," it is because Data was presumed dead. (edit) The computer's delay is originally explained as a problem with a "processing attenuator" - later, Riker yells at the simulated Geordi about a "processing accelerator." (edit) Apparently there are bugs in space (or at least on the set). When Riker, Picard, and Troi are in one of the conference room scenes, and the camera is on Picard as he is talking, some kind of bug flies past Picard's face in the shot. (edit)

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