The episode was written by Jon Vitti and directed by Rich Moore. The idea was pitched by Wallace Wolodarsky, who wanted to parody "Cape Fear". Originally produced as the last episode for the fourth season, it was held over to the fifth and was, therefore, the last episode produced by the show's original writers, most of whom subsequently left. The production crew found it difficult to stretch "Cape Feare" to the standard duration of half an hour (less time for commercials), and consequently padded several scenes. In one such sequence, Sideshow Bob continually steps on rakes, the handles of which then hit him in the face; this scene has been cited as one of the show's most memorable moments. Despite this, it is considered one of the darkest episodes of "The Simpsons". The score received an Emmy Award nomination.