Detective Tony Profaci says two hobos were debating the merits of thunderbird versus crack. Thunderbird is a term, often used by the homeless, for really cheap wine, usually homemade, also known as "toilet bowl wine." Thunderbird is also a brand name of low-quality, cheaply-priced wine.
This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
- The legal debate over filing first-degree murder charges for homicides caused by impaired driving.
- The 1996 hit-and-run incident at Wake Forest University committed by Thomas R. Jones. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1997 for his role in the deaths of 2 students and the injury of 4 others while under the influence of Xanax, Percocet, Fioricet, and beer.
Carrie Nation is referenced in passing. Caroline Amelia Nation was a radical anti-alcohol activist and prominent member of the Temperance movement, whose members sought to outlaw alcohol due to its effects on mental and physical health, work ethic, infant mortality, and its perceived involvement in political corruption, domestic violence, and poverty.
Carrie was notorious for being armed with a hatchet that she used to destroy taverns and other establishments that served alcohol, either alone or by leading a raid to greatly increase the destruction. She was arrested more than 30 times and even banned from Kansas City at one point. Her actions led many bars to post signs stating, "All nations welcome... except Carrie".
She died in 1911, about 9 years before the United States passed the 18th Amendment to the Constitution (Prohibition), banning the sale and manufacture of alcohol. The Amendment was proposed in 1917, ratified in 1919, and lasted until 1933 when it was repealed by the 21st Amendment.
Carrie was notorious for being armed with a hatchet that she used to destroy taverns and other establishments that served alcohol, either alone or by leading a raid to greatly increase the destruction. She was arrested more than 30 times and even banned from Kansas City at one point. Her actions led many bars to post signs stating, "All nations welcome... except Carrie".
She died in 1911, about 9 years before the United States passed the 18th Amendment to the Constitution (Prohibition), banning the sale and manufacture of alcohol. The Amendment was proposed in 1917, ratified in 1919, and lasted until 1933 when it was repealed by the 21st Amendment.
Claire Kincaid's death by collision with a drunk driver in the season 6 finale Aftershock (1996) is referred to in this episode.
Gary Feldman, the presiding judge over the case, plans to run for election to Adam Schiff's New York District Attorney seat.