Production for this episode was notoriously difficult, and the book "The Complete X-Files" notes that it "gave the staff headaches—both during the shoot and editing process". Part of this was due to the script being delivered to the cast and crew only two days before filming was scheduled to begin. One part of the episode that was nixed during the writing stage was an extended look at Michelle's love life: originally, she was explicitly described as a lesbian, and in one short scene her partner enters her apartment to talk to her. Series creator Chris Carter eventually cut the scene because he felt it "felt gratuitous at that point".