This episode is partially based on the 2010 Duke University faux sex thesis controversy, which was a 42-page PowerPoint document written by Karen Owen, a 24-year-old senior. The document was privately written and distributed to just a few friends. During homecoming weekend, one of the friends forwarded it, and it was widely circulated. The bulk of the controversy surrounded whether she invaded her partners' rights to privacy, and whether the subjects of Owen's faux thesis had a right to sue.
Another one rare episode where O. Benson and E. Stabler have physical contact.