According to Joss Whedon in the DVD commentary, Buffy's monologue in the house before heading to the final battle was twice as long, so he cut a lot in the editing. Although, referring to Sarah Michelle Gellar's talent, he said she did the original monologue in one go several times, to the point that some crew members applauded spontaneously.
In an interview before this episode aired, Joss Whedon said: "If nobody cries... then I've definitely failed. It's really emotional - you're supposed to laugh, cry, and gasp with excitement - as well as take away a beautiful feminist message."
Andrew flips back his red hood and says, "step back, girlfriend". This was an ad lib on the part of Tom Lenk.
The sequence with the Mutant Enemy mascot, the little monster that goes "Grr Arrgh" at the end of the credits, was changed for a total of six times:
- in Becoming: Part 2 (1998) it said, 'Oh, I need a hug."
- in Amends (1998) it wore a Santa hat and bells were jingling.
- in Graduation Day: Part 2 (1999) it wore a graduation cap.
- in Once More, with Feeling (2001) it sang its "Grr Argh."
- in Storyteller (2003) it sang, "We are as gods."
- in Chosen (2003) it looked out at the viewers instead of looking straight-forward.
Spike speculates that Angel wears lifts in his shoes to make himself appear taller. James Marsters would later confess to wearing lifts during his first guest appearance on Angel (1999).