This episode was based on a true story.
As of the January 26, 1985 air date, Richard Hatch had appeared a total of 6 times on Dynasty (1981), which also starred Heather Locklear. Both were only credited as appearing together once in March 1985 (Hatch's seventh and final appearance).
Both the protagonist and antagonist both held the rank of Captain in a recurring science-fiction show. William Shatner played Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek (1966), while Richard Hatch played Captain Apollo on Battlestar Galactica (1978).