The situation that Vice President Daniels faced (possibly going to war with Russia) and the overall outcome, shares similarities in plot line with the 2004 Konami video game, "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater." In both scenarios, America and Russia are at odds over Russian personnel and technology. The Russian President is negotiating with a newly appointed Former Vice-President and the issue is resolved by the actions of a lone operative who is forced to take down a parental figure. Ironically enough, the character from the video game (Codenamed "Big Boss), is the main character in the 2014 Konami release "Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes and is voiced by none other than Kiefer Sutherland. (Jack Bauer)
In early drafts of the episode's script, it was revealed that Josh Bauer was actually Jack's son, and the result of an affair between him and Marilyn. The writers dropped this idea when they realized that this would require Jack to have cheated on Teri, something they felt would have cheapened the latter's death. Instead, Josh was written as being Phillip's illegitimate son (and therefore Jack's half-brother) from an affair, which he tried to cover up by murdering Josh's mother and having Graem and Marilyn raise him as their son. A scene establishing this was actually filmed, but cut for timing reasons.
Laura Ingraham: makes an appearance as a White House aide reviewing an important intelligence report with Vice President Daniels at 5:40 AM.