Jamie says, "Dolphins. Dolphins are good." This is a nod to Elle Fanning's role in Taken as young Allie, where she had magical communication with dolphins.
When Ray and Rachel are held prisoners by the tripod, the alien language visible on the hull, behind the cage, is also featured in the mini series "Taken". It appears on the Alien recording device and in the archeological site. Both "War of the Worlds" and "Taken" were directed by Steven Spielberg, and actress Dakota Fanning had played a major role.
Julie Ann Emery who played Fiona, a woman who is suspected of murder and is interrogated by Quinn (Desmond Harrington), had worked with him six years before Dexter, in the miniseries Taken (2002), they played a couple.