One of the most impressive sequences were the scenes taking place at the dock in which Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) rescues Gibbs and Tyler by diving off the dock, chasing their car to its potentially underwater grave, smashing the windshield, and pulling both to the surface. The scenes were filmed in two separate locations; the dock was filmed on location in San Pedro, the port district of Los Angeles, California, while the underwater scenes were filmed at a tank in the San Fernando Valley. While shooting in San Pedro, Weatherly was allowed to run up to the water, but a stunt man later stood in to perform the dive. The underwater sequences took two days to film. The crew noted that water was one of the most difficult environments to shoot in, as it changed the light focus, and communication proved difficult. Before shooting took place, the cast and crew present followed the storyboards of the sequence. The water was also dyed to look murky. The filming crew also noted that Mark Harmon did not hesitate to perform underwater. Body doubles were on hand, but the producers were so impressed by how Harmon acted in pretending to be trapped in the car by the broken steering wheel, and then played dead, they felt a double was not needed, as they believed no one could create a stronger performance.
The song playing during Gibbs' and Maddie's talk in her apartment is "All I Need" by Mat Kearney from the 2006 album "Nothing Left To Lose."
This episode was produced to be the 100th episode, but "Chimera" aired in its place due to its airing near Halloween.
Nick Spano, who plays Haas, is not related to Joe Spano, who recurs as Tobias Fornell.
Anne-Marie Johnson appears here as Col. Stacey Radcliffe. She was Rep. Bobbie Latham on JAG (1995), the series from which NCIS (2003) originated in JAG's eighth season.