After Alex (Keeley Hawes) has been framed by Mac (Roger Allam), in the interview room later he suggests that Gene (Philip Glenister) uses some physical force on Alex to get her to confess to which Gene remarks "Softly, Softly Catchee Bent Bastard". This is a variation of the old English term "Softly, Softly Catchee Monkey", meaning to play it gently and patiently and the prize will fall into your hands. It is thought to have originated in Ghana where the locals used it when referring to catching the potta monkey.
Chris (Marshall Lancaster) says, "She's got me watching tapes of Brideshead Revisited." Brideshead Revisited (1981) was the 11-part Granada TV adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel first broadcast 12 October-22 December 1981.
When in Jarvis (John Bowe)' country house, Chris (Marshall Lancaster) says, "It's just like Southfork", referencing the name of the ranch home of the Ewing family in US soap opera Dallas (1978) (1978-1991). When entering the house later in the episode Chris says "It's like Scooby Doo", and Ray (Dean Andrews) remarks "Ha ha ha you pesky kids", referring to the famous TV cartoon dog who first appeared in Hanna Barbera's Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (1969) in 1969.
At her flat, Alex (Keeley Hawes) sees Roland Rat on TV talking to Molly (Grace Vance) during a phone-in. Roland Rat, the puppet creation of David Claridge, first appeared on TV-AM,- ITV's breakfast TV station on 1st April 1983.