The ship which Kirk served on for his first deep space mission is disclosed to be the USS Farragut, and was named after David Glasgow Farragut, a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice-admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy and is credited for uttering the phrase, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!", disregarding all danger while charging into enemy waters off the Alabama Coast. (That quote however is an abridged version. He actually said: "Damn the torpedoes. Four bells, Captain Drayton, go ahead. Jouett, full speed.")
Second episode in a row in which Captain Kirk's capacity of commanding the Enterprise is questioned.
This episode establishes the fact that Vulcan blood is copper-based, unlike human blood which is iron-based.
Only time in the series where phasers are said to have a disruptor setting.
The only episode to have a security guard as the central story.