The opening narration says "Remember the dog? The strangler?" referring to "Cujo" and Frank Dodd from "The Dead Zone," respectively. Both of these stories were set in Castle Rock.
The Mellow Tiger bar makes its first appearance in this episode. This location is referenced several times in the Stephen King universe as the main watering hole in Castle Rock and surrounding areas. The bar is setting of important plot points in "Stand By Me", "Cujo" and "Needful Things". It is also mentioned in passing in "The Shawshank Redemption", "Pet Sematary" and "The Shining".
When Henry is leafing through a folder of newspaper clippings, one headline reads "Rabid Dog Tears Through Town," a reference to "Cujo." Another headline about a missing shopkeeper and the burning of an oddities store is in reference to "Needful Things," with the news clipping referencing villain Leland Gaunt by name. Another headline, "Anonymous tip led to boy's body" with a picture of train tracks is a reference to "The Body" (adapted as "Stand By Me").
Deputy [Norris] Ridgewick appears in a flashback scene in this episode. The character also appeared or was mentioned in the Stephen King novels: The Dark Half, Needful Things, Bag of Bones, Gerald's Game, and Lisey's Story. Ridgewick's previous screen appearances have been portrayed by Ray McKinnon (Needful Things) and Zachary Mott (The Dark Half).
Jackie Torrance's name is either a reference or suggests a relation to the character Jack Torrance in another Stephen King work, The Shining.