Melissa Benoist's directing debut, and the second cast member to sit in the director's chair; David Harewood previously directed "American Dreamer (2019)" and "Back from the Future - Part One (2020)".
The title is a play on the Latin phrase "deus ex machina" ("god from the machine"), a plot device that originated in ancient Greek theater, by which an inexplicable occurrence resolves an otherwise seemingly unsolvable problem. In modern writing, it is generally sought to be avoided, as it carries an implied lack of creativity.
The episode was originally scheduled to air at the end of March but was postponed because production of the season was suspended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The final three episodes of the season were released later than scheduled to allow the production crew more time to edit and apply visual effects remotely.
Melissa Benoist is the second Arrowverse actor to direct an episode detailing a character's backstory. In season 5 of The Flash (2014), Danielle Panabaker directed "Godspeed (2019)", the backstory of Barry and Iris' daughter Nora.
Jason Mewes: as the Mississippi farmer who witnesses the battle with the Sun-Eater. Famous for his association with Kevin Smith, he appeared with Melissa Benoist, Chris Wood, and Jesse Rath in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019).