According to the production report, this installment "explores a premise hinted at in the original Star Trek". More specifically, at the end of A Piece of the Action (1968) the "Chicago Mobs of the 1920s" story), when Dr. McCoy confesses to having left behind his communicator on Sigma Iotia II, and Kirk jokes that it "upsets the whole percentage". " 'The Communicator' picks up on this idea, but with a far more serious tone," the production report commented.
This episode explores the importance of not introducing technology to civilizations which are not yet warp-capable. This would eventually be adopted by the Federation as part of one of its highest laws, the Prime Directive.
The weapons the alien soldiers use was a Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun, modified with a drum magazine, fixed stock, and either a sound suppressor or extension to the barrel.
The barrels in the prison yard are repainted and repurposed barrels used in various episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).
Interestingly, Lt. Reed, the tactical officer, is wearing an infantry fourragere in his civilian outfit.