A new beginning: The new season sports an updated title sequence, and a slightly different arrangement of Nerf Herder's theme music. The final shot of the new sequence, a moody close-up of Buffy holding a sickle-like axe, comes from this episode. The new titles include credit for Seth Green, who is promoted to a regular cast member from this episode.

New season, old faces: Several cast members featured in previous episodes return here, including Larry Bagby III as Larry, (the jock that Xander outed in Phases). Also notable is the return of Chanterelle, the vampire wannabe from Lie To Me, here reincarnated as 'Lily'.

What's in a name?: We discover that Buffy's middle name is Anne, a fact curiously omitted from her tombstone, which appeared in Nightmares. Coincidentally, in the UK Ann Summers is a shop that sells lingerie and other naughty goodies for women.