Despite airing in 2018, the episode was produced in 2017 according to the credits.
Gabby, Stripes, Starla, Darington and Zeg don't appear in this episode.
Going by production order, this is the seventeenth episode of the third season.
From this episode onward, due to DHX Media taking over the animation, the new animation style introduced in Animal Island was used, despite Tow Truck Tough using the original animation style. Additionally, the Bighorns retain their original designs instead of being redone for a more realistic appearance, though with a few tweaks.
The scene where Blaze, AJ and Pegwheel stop the Pirate Bighorns is roughly the same pattern as Race to the Top of the World where the Monster Machines tried to stop Pegwheel and the pirates. Blaze's aiming problems are the same, the phrase "Yo ho, vortex!" is the same pattern as "Yo ho, underpants!", and the Pirate Bighorns take the place of the pirates, with the captain being fought last.
The theme song is updated as of this episode, to coencide with the new animation style:
The spotlight Blaze stands under and the jungle that Stripes hops through are more realistic.
Starla is in a desert canyon instead of a forest.
Blaze and Darington are in a forest instead of a desert.
Trees have been added behind Blaze and Zeg as they smash through the tires.
In the Monster Dome, Watts races alongside Blaze with Gabby driving her, replacing Gabby's ATV. She also appears with the other Monster Machines as they jump over Crusher and Pickle. She'll make her official television debut 2 episodes later, in Fast Friends.
It is revealed that Blaze can also use his Blazing Speed to speed up what is he riding on.
If examined closely, Blaze and AJ’s pirate hats have illustrations of kracken tentacles.
