A subplot of the episode is that Anthony DiNozzo, the so-called "class clown" of the NCIS, is acting in an uncharacteristic way: serious, workaholic, and with no interest in romance. His co-workers are concerned and Ziva David finds out that Anthony feels depressed after learning that one of his former lovers survived a suicide attempt. The end of the episode has Tony acting as if his depression is over. However subsequent episodes of the season imply that he is faking his apparent good mood. He repeatedly expresses concern about his aging process,and about the lack of progress in his career. He also subsequently reveals a fear that he is going to die alone, and even found himself relating to a workaholic navy officer who chose suicide over retirement.
At approx 15:40 they showed the knife in the video. The knife in question is a WASP injection knife. it is an anti-shark knife used to cause massive damage to a shark by injecting compressed CO2 from a cartridge in the handle into the wound and in effect blowing up the shark like a balloon.
A message appears after the final scene. "Happy Holidays to the men and women who protect and serve our country at home and abroad."
To highlight the change in Tony, his hair is parted on the right (as opposed to the usual left) throughout the episode, until the last scene where Tony shows he is back to "normal".
The music that Abby is dancing to at approximately 12 minutes into the show is a rendition of "The Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin.