The broadcast order this episode, production number 311 (“An Inside Man”) and 310 (“Visions and Voices”) were swapped after production started, partially because of thematic connections between 310 and 312.
Mr. Sumar nearly made an appearance in the Season Two opener, where he was going to be depicted as very anti-rebel, angered at the actions the rebels took that resulted in the death of Minister Tua, and the enhanced Imperial security they provoked.
Among the art in Thrawn’s office is a Bardottan statue, holograms of ancient Lothal glyphs, the Syndulla kalikori, Kanan’s old battle mask, and holographic examples of Mandalorian art from ancient crusades.
The TIE defender design comes from the classic 1994 TIE Fighter videogame from LucasArts where it was depicted as the top-of-the-line Imperial fighter model. It seemed a philosophical departure for the Empire, pouring such resources into a small fighter craft – but now that a rather unconventional Imperial like Thrawn backing the project, its origin gains new focus.
