Operatic pieces performed in the movie deviated from that of the book. Author James Cain's mother was an operatic singer and he carefully selected the pieces used in the book. The filmmakers decided to use a selection that more closely paralleled the conflict between mother and daughter. One selection is the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's "Magic Flute". The aria features a daughter that clashes wills against her possessive mother.
Evan Rachel Wood was called upon to perform her first nude scene in this episode. Never having done it before, and understandably nervous, she turned to her onscreen mother Kate Winslet who is well-known for frequent nude appearances in her films. Winslet was very supportive of her young co-star.
The episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score).
Many of the cast and crew were concerned about Evan Rachel Wood's mental and physical state during the making of the mini-series. She was in the death knells of her abusive relationship with Marilyn Manson and it was clear to many when he visited her on-set that the relationship was highly troubled.
Last episode of the series.