In 1997, TV Guide selected this as the greatest episode of a dramatic show and the 3rd greatest episode overall after Chuckles Bites the Dust (1975) and Lucy Does a TV Commercial (1952).
Noah Wyle was sick with mononucleosis while filming this episode, and had IV bags for medication and re-hydrating in the pockets of his pants during most of the shoot.
This episode, which introduced the show's signature machine-gun delivery, won 5 Emmy Awards, more than any other.
The episode won 5 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
Mimi Leder's direction of this seminal episode brought her to the attention of Steven Spielberg who then asked her to helm The Peacemaker (1997) and, later, Deep Impact (1998).