Only The Strong Survive

Trivia Contributor
Bo Svenson also directed The Phoenix.
Monica Sztybel
The actor Alex Carter (Canyon Parks) was in Requiem as Ralston.
Monica Sztybel
This was Jody's first appearance.
 Monica Sztybel
Technically this is Kermit's first appearance, since Return of the Shadow Assassin was filmed later.
 Monica Sztybel
Peter has been wearing the ring in all the episodes to date since Return of the Shadow Assassin, except Ancient Lottery.
 Monica Sztybel
The hotel suite is actually a conversion of Peter's apartment set. The walls in the living area are the same blue-green color, while the bedroom has the same red walls as Peter's. The closet and the entrance to the bedroom are in the same place. All they did was erect a wall to mask the kitchen and add a window in the bedroom, and you have a new set:-)
 Monica Sztybel
In the first act, as they show the episode title, that is not Chris Potter walking to the building, but Steve Lucescu.
 Monica Sztybel
Script differences  
I have a full script (possibly first draft) and part of another. The second script has Kermit. The description of him reads:

"'Kermit' Griffin sits at a desk, at a computer. The same files that are scrolling on Kinasay's monitor are coming up on Griffin's monitor. They call him 'Kermit' because there is more than a passing resemblacne to Kermit the Frog. He's not exactly green, but he's hunched over, pinched, nsally, ingenuous and intense. And his dark glasses, that he wears, like Jack Nicholson, at all times, inside and outside, are green."
 Monica Sztybel
The first script has Jody's name as Blakemore.In the script, Peter is refered to as "Lieutenant".Since this was the first episode filmed for season 2, a lot of detail is described about Caine's building. It's Peter's first time there.
 Monica Sztybel
When they talk about the tournament, there's no discussion as to whether Peter is skilled, as Caine implies in the episode that he is. Instead, Peter says, "I suck air compared to those tournament guys, and we both know it."
 Monica Sztybel
The scene in the car between Jody and Peter is different. He's not mad to have her with him. They behave like they've been partners for awhile. The dialog is different as well. Peter is nervous, like in the episode. Jody asks him about why he gets so emotionally involved, unlike other cops. He replies that it has to do with his childhood (no mention of how Kira told her so).
 Monica Sztybel
At the competition, Jody takes his arm. Peter tenses. She asks him what's wrong. He ties to hide it, but she tells him he's lousy at poker. He then comments about how much she reminds him of Kira. She said that he could have refused to work with her if it bothered him. He insists it's the fact that she's a good cop that matters to him. She sees he's still holding back and tells him it's okay to miss Kira, and goes on to talk about herfeelings about her sister. Then they joke about Jody being good enough to pretend to be his lady love for this assignment.
 Monica Sztybel
The dialog between Jody and Peter when he emerges from the locker roomis also skightly different. There's a lot more banter between them as Jody marvels over the men who leave the locker room.
 Monica Sztybel
After Peter's match he's fuming because he knows Kinesay recognized his father's move. He tells Jody, "I might as well have set myself on fire back there!" Peter tried to get Caine's name from Kinesay, but all hewould say was that it was a Chinaman. Peter even senses that Caine was watching.

He goes on about how frustrating it is for him to get to know his father, because of all the surprises that croip up. "Our relationshipis like a cheap sweater -- you pull one thread and the whole thing seems to come apart.

In the second script, Peter isn't as incensed. He finds the connection between Kinasay and his father interesting. He's even proud that he kicked butt.
 Monica Sztybel
The first script is Kermitless and focuses more on the tournament. It seems the tournament is starting in an hour and Peter has to competewhile Jody finds out info in the office (she didn't do so while he tried out, as in the episode), but in the meantime...Kinasay suspects Peter is lying. He asks for Peter to be followed. Peter and Jody take a walk, discussing her dating scenarios which involve some losers. Then he notices that they're being followed.
 Monica Sztybel
When Caine takes out Canyon Parks, Peter is furious. "I don't believe it -- you've been dogging me again!" Caine insists he was concerned about Peter. In the script, Parks isn't tossed over a ledge. He survives, and Peter brings him to the precinct, but can't get any info out of him.

When he leaves the interrogation room, he runs into Jody and they have some more banter. Then Peter tries to get info from Caine. When Caine says it's personal, Peter gets incensed. "You don't get it, do you! You're always asking questions aboutmy life and all you missed, but there's stuff _I_ have to know, too! Like where you went and what you did all those years I thought you were dead." (then firm) "So, what do you say we start with a little town called Chillicothe, Texas?"
 Monica Sztybel
Rather than it being a locked file to retrieve, the reason Peter goes to see Kinasay again is for Caine to apologize. Jody thinks it's right, so that they can make Kinasay think Peter is on the level, cop or not.At the office, Kinasay has a tape of Peter's move, which he plays over and over again. Caine surpises him by asking if he's impressed with the technique.

In the script, Kinasay is embittered by his disability as much as the humiliation of losing the fight. He goes on for a while then forgives Caine. He holds out his hand, but Caine just bows.
 Monica Sztybel
The next scene depicts the auditorium filling with spectators for the tournament. Jody and Peter are there, watching as Caine descends a stairwell followed by Kinasay. Peter is dressed for the tournament. Jody gives Peter a silent buzzer in case of trouble. She says she has one as well to warn him. He doesn't like her going alone and says he should go with her. She insists he keeps his cover going. Jody moves off. A guard spots her on the security system and alerts Kinasay.

Meanwhile, Peter stretches while Caine looks on. He's a bit sarcastic about the fact that his father's apology to Kinesay has only lead to Peter fighting for real, and he doesn't think he has what it takes. But Caine offers to help him, which makes him feel better.

Kinasay is alerted about Jody. Meanwhile, Peter is about to begin his match. Caine coaches him to "Concentrate. Tighten your mind. Push away all outside thoughts." Peter nods and steps onto the mat. And the match begins. His opponent is not only huge,but lightening fast. This guy beats him up just like the guy in the tease. Caine tries to remind him of the concentration it took to tend to the plants. Caine tells Peter that he gave the plant what it wanted by denying it food and sunlight. He says that the opponent is expecting Peter to use the move. Peter realizes that he has to deny the man what he wants and then give it to him. Peter then returns to the mat, more focused than before.
 Monica Sztybel
Jody accesses Kinasay's files, and he catches her. She squeezes the buzzer.Peter succeeds in faking out his opponent and using the trick move, winning the fight. He hears the buzzer and alerts Caine that Jody is introuble.

They see Jody being taken by Kinasay's men and Caine, Peter and Jody take them out. Caine's part of the fight is similar to the episode with scenes intermingled with the flashback.

Since Kermit is not in the script at all, it's Peter who kicks the hotel door in and takes Jennifer into his arms.
 Monica Sztybel