When one of the detectives says Ryder was in the National Guard during the Vietnam War, he says Ryder was in "the Dan Quayle brigade." Dan Quayle was a politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1981; a U.S. Senator representing Indiana from 1981 to 1989; and, from 1989 to 1993, the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving under President George H.W. Bush. In 1969, Quayle joined the Indiana National Guard and used his family's political connections to ensure that he was stationed state-side and not sent into combat in Vietnam. Once that became public knowledge, the term "Dan Quayle brigade" was used to describe any person that was drafted and used any wealth or political influence they might have to get out of serving in a combat unit.
John Bedford Lloyd has played three different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 2.14 Blood Is Thicker... (1992) - Jonathan Ryder.
- Episode 7.6 Double Blind (1996) - Dr. Christian Varick.
- Episode 16.8 New York Minute (2005) - Prentiss's Lawyer.
Sam Freed played three different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 2.14 Blood Is Thicker... (1992) - Kent Meeker.
- Episode 9.16 Harm (1999) - Dr. Bill Rudnick.
- Episode 16.20 Kingmaker (2006) - Tom Baker.
Chris Noth (Detective Mike Logan) and Sam Freed (Kent Meeker) also worked together on Invitation to an Inquest (2013) (episode 4.17), as Peter Florrick and Dale Dazzo, respectively.
Chris Noth (Detective Mike Logan) and John Bedford Lloyd (Jonathan Ryder) also worked together on The Last Call (2014) (episode 5.16), as Peter Florrick and Bob Klepper, respectively.