The psychopathic charisma and globe-spanning criminal exploits of Bernard Fremont (Michael York) strongly appear to have been inspired by real-life murderer Charles Sobhraj, now serving a life sentence in a Nepalese prison. Compare, for example, the title of this episode with that of journalist Thomas Thompson's 1979 non-fiction bestseller about Sobhraj, 'Serpentine'.
This episode concludes with a rare scene where the defendants appear in court in front of a judge for guilty or not guilty pleas along with bail recommendations, in the presence of A.D.A. Ron Carver. Very few episodes, if any at all, have ever ended in this manner.
R. Ward Duffy has played three different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 8.7 Folie a Deux (2009) - Hal Brooks
- Episode 5.11 Slither (2006) - Det. Geraldo
- Episode 4.10 View from Up Here (2005) - Detective Langford (as Ward Duffy)
Remy Auberjonois (Zelman) also played the role of Dr. Jay Alberstein in episode 7.6, Courtship (2007).
Remy Auberjonois (Zelman) also played the character of Dr. Jay Alberstein in episode 7.6, Courtship (2007).