Lorelai compares her parents' home to a "giant Skinner box." This is in reference to the "box" that behavioral psychologist BF Skinner and his wife reared their daughter in the first few years of her life, which was designed so she could roam in an enclosed, warm environment, keeping her safe and comfortable. The popular misconception is that his daughter grew up to be psychotic and suicidal, but she actually is alive and well in England and has no history of mental illness.
When Lorelai tells Sookie that she is a goddess, Sookie asks: "Can I be the one with all the arms?" She is most likely referring to the Hindu goddess named Durga, who is usually depicted with multiple arms.
This is the first time that Emily and Lorelai have a real daughter and mother moment. Emily had finally opened up that she is a bit envious about Lorelai being an independent woman. Emily was raised to think that picking clothes for Richard, making sure the house is to perfection, entertain Richard's clients, etc. was all she is worth and didn't want to disappoint Richard, however when Richard is in recovery from the heart attack, she realizes that she doesn't know what to do without him. Emily finally shows a vulnerable side of herself.
In this episode, Emily touches Lorelai on the shoulder, since the very first contact on Driving Miss Gilmore (2006). Richard, Emily and Lorelai show no physical affection among each other. The only real contact was Rory, she was the one who hugs and kisses her grandparents.
In this episode, Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry) says the word 'firefly' while having dinner with Rory and Logan. Gregg Henry guest starred in the The Train Job (2002) episode of the TV show Firefly (2002).