Season 5 started late due to a writer's strike that occurred earlier in the year. Filming started in late September, as opposed to the usual July or early August start as was the norm for previous seasons. This delay led to the removal of a 22nd episode from the final season, titled "The Edge".
The opening sequence, consisting of cinematic shots of Miami at night and a lengthy nightclub party scene, can be seen as an attempt to convince viewers that the show had returned to the style that made it famous in its first three seasons. Ironically, the fifth season is often cited by fans as having a markedly different tone to the rest of the series.
The gritty and "envelope-pushing" tone of the fifth season began with this episode, with the introduction of more regular use of harsher language.
Tim Truman makes his debut as background music contributor with this episode. His sound is grittier and more rock-based, driven by guitar and drums, compared to the smooth synth vibes of his predecessor Jan Hammer. Unlike Hammer, Truman's compositions have never been commercially released on CD or any other format.