Steven S. DeKnight says on the DVD commentary that the Beast wasn't going to appear so early on, but the network told them that this episode would be the last one of the year, so they have to introduce the character.
For the first time we see that Wes now habitually carries a pair of Colt 45 automatic pistols and a pump action shotgun. This is a radical departure for the Buffyverse which had always frowned upon the use of firearms. Later, Wesley is shown to be an extremely skilled shooter.
In the final fight scene, which took two full days to film, Charisma Carpenter had to be careful doing her stunts, as she was pregnant.
Vladimir Kulich went through an eight-hour make-up process to transform him into the character of the Beast, including prosthetics and fiberglass body suit, but "The worst part was the contact lenses...[that] cover the entire eyeball," the actor said. However, the isolating nature of the 50 lb costume meant that "I was able to search a little deeper for material while I was in the character because I was cocooned off...It was liberating."