The title refers to a medieval torture device where the victim is place in a small chamber which contains spikes. The chamber is slowly closed and is used to interrogate prisoners.
Christine White has only a supporting role here but she had more prominent guest starring roles with David Janssen previously in Two for Paradise (1959) and Escape from Oak Lane (1957).
Adjusted for inflation the prices mentioned or on display for this December 1964 air date would have increased by nearly 850% by the year 2022, making the $30 fee the congresswoman pays her psychiatrist valued at almost $280 and the 50 cent bowl of chili and beans at the diner worth nearly $4.75.
This is the third of six appearances Jason Wingreen makes in the series, each time playing a different character.