During the first flashback scene, the man brought into the ER with Sarah is Mr. Rutherford. Careful observers will realize that this is in actuality Shannon's father. Also, Mr. Rutherford's time of death is announced in the background of the scene as "8:15." Oceanic 815 was the flight number of the plane that crashed on the island and both 8 and 15 are in the sequence of Hurley's numbers.
The hatch shaft was completely computer generated.
Julie Bowen's appearance in the series was difficult to work out as she had just become a regular on Boston Legal (2004). Bowen was very keen to make it work as she was a huge fan of the show. She specifically only wanted to know what was going on with her character and no one else as she didn't want to be spoiled.
The world premiere of season two took place at Waikiki beach on the island of Oahu one week before ABC aired the episode. The first episode was projected on a screen 30 feet tall and the cast walked a red carpet to greet fans before the episode played. The producers requested that the viewers not disclose the events of the episode before it aired.