The scene in which Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Giles stand and discuss what they'll do the next day, which ends with Giles saying to himself "The Earth is definitely doomed" is an homage to the very first story-line of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997). The Harvest (1997) ends with Buffy, Xander, and Willow walking away talking about ways for Buffy to get herself kicked out of school, and Giles turns and mutters "The Earth is doomed".
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.