Shaw refers to a diet of "ramen and Two Buck Chuck". Two Buck Chuck is a range of inexpensive wine sold by California-based Trader Joe's Markets under the Charles Shaw label. The nickname refers to the $1.99/bottle price for the wine, which is made in bulk in California's Central Valley wine growing region.
In interviews relating to the episode, Jonathan Nolan commented on the need for an occasional lighter episode, such as this, designed to give the audience a break during a period of heavier story-telling.
This episode is the first in Machine POV since Samaritan came online. Unlike the first two episodes, the Machine is once again sending numbers to Finch.
Finch's alias "Mr. Egret" is another bird name.