Aside from the new paint accents, the TIE defender seen in the episode features some geometry changes to its animation model, including adding the Kenner-inspired pop-off wing feature. The rear engine has been reshaped, and a hatch containing the hyperdrive unit has been added.

The friendly Loth-cat sounds are recordings of the late Tex, sound designer Dave Acord’s cat. Tex should not be confused with Porkchop, Acord’s other cat, whose purr was the source of Kylo Ren’s Force rumble sound effect in The Force Awakens.

In this episode, Hera and Kanan are based out of Ezra’s communication tower, where the series began.

The probe droids spotted at the distance on the air field were originally intended to be target drones for the TIE defender test runs, so that the rebels would see the TIE defender’s capabilities in action.

In many ways, this episode is an evolution of the ‘we stole a TIE fighter’ story from Season One’s “Fight or Flight” episode, but now with stakes and dangers raised exponentially.