This episode is the first to mention the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. The idea behind this cult, which would be revisited in Covenant (1998), was to show that not every Bajoran was a disciple of the Prophets.
The events of Hollow Pursuits (1990) are referred to in this episode by Worf and Miles O'Brien. Geordi La Forge and Reginald Barclay are also both mentioned by name. It is the only time that O'Brien refers to Geordi by his first name.
Many DS9 episodes have an A-story (the main story) and a B-story, a secondary story. This episode is the first to also have a C-story.
Major Kira was promoted to Colonel approximately two months before this episode, one month after the season 6 finale, Tears of the Prophets. She also wears a new hairstyle and a new uniform.
The song Sisko plays in the restaurant before his vision is "Round Midnight", by Thelonious Monk and Cootie Williams.