Lynda Day George, who played Casey during the sixth season of the show, announced at the end of that season that she was pregnant. Although "Break" was the season opener for season seven, it was actually the fifth episode filmed, and the four episodes filmed beforehand have Ms. George (although in reduced roles). At the end of this episode, Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) tells Mimi Davis (Barbara Anderson) that Casey would be on "special assignments in Europe." In fact, George began her maternity leave with this episode, and Anderson would ultimately fill in for George in seven of the ten episodes that George missed.
The explanation given to cover Lynda Day George's maternity leave from the series (namely that her character, Casey, was "on special assignment in Europe") was the only time that an IMF agent's absence was explained on-screen. Various regulars had departed or had had reduced roles over the years (including Steven Hill, who left after season 1; Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, who left after season 3; Leonard Nimoy and Lesley Warren who left after Season 5; and Peter Lupus, who alternated with Sam Elliot during much of season 5), but there was never any explanation given for their absences.
This episode introduces a new arrangement of the opening theme song, and abandons the initial teaser beforehand (instituted in Season 5).
This was Mimi's first appearance as a member of the team. She was actually on parole, and at the end, Phelps asks her if she would like to become a part-time member of the team.
Robert Mandan and Larry Watson reprise identical roles from the season six show "Shape-Up", that of syndicate chieftain and henchman, respectively.