What takes place here is a foreshadowing of Return to Mayberry (1986). That TV movie aired 21 years after this episode and 18 years after the series ended. Andy Taylor returns to Mayberry and plans to run for his old job of Sheriff. When he arrives, he discovers that his old deputy and friend, Barney Fife, is planning to run also.
This is the last episode of the series in which Helen is seen with long hair, which she usually wore pinned up. The next episode in which Helen appears is Season 5, Episode 24, "Guest in the House," where she is seen with a new, much shorter, hair style.
At the beginning of the episode, Barney and Andy are arguing. Barney says to Andy, "There he goes! Every month, pull up stakes like an Arab and off you go!" Andy replies, "Barney, that was three months ago I was thinking of moving to Raleigh." This is a reference to "Goodbye Sheriff Taylor" (s5e10).