The pilot was shot in 1997, two years before the show aired on HBO. This explains the differences in appearance for many of the main characters (most noticably, Robert Iler as A.J.); the long time span also explains the recasts of Father Phil and Irina.

Music in this episode:
"Fired Up!" by Funky Green Dogs; "I Wonder Why" by Dion & The Belmonts; "Can't Be Still" by Booker T. and the MG's; "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" by Sting; "Little Star" by The Elegants; "Lumina" by Joan Osborne; "No More I Love You's" by Annie Lennox; "Rumble" by Link Wray; "Shame, Shame, Shame" by Shirley & Company; "Tardes De Bolonha" by Madredeus; "The Other Side of This Life" by Jefferson Airplane; "Welcome Back" by Land of the Loops; "Who Can You Trust" by Morcheeba; "Who's Sorry Now" by Connie Francis; "The Rockford Files" by Mike Post; "I'm a Man" by Bo Diddley; "The Beast In Me" by Nick Lowe


Steve Van Zandt originally auditioned for the role of Tony Soprano.


Lorraine Bracco was originally asked to play the role of Carmela Soprano, but she felt that the part was too familiar because of her character in Goodfellas. She felt the role of Dr. Melfi would be more challenging.


Siberia Federico plays Tony's goomah, Irina, in this episode. She was replaced by Oksana Babiy for the remainder of the series.


This was the only episode in which Michael Santoro played Father Phil. Paul Schulze was chosen to play the character throughout the remainder of the series.


In 1999, this episode won an Emmy for 'Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Series'.


In the original script, Tommy Soprano was changed to Tony Soprano.


Drea de Matteo played a bit part in this episode and she wasn't meant to return, but David Chase liked her work and decided to sign her on as Adriana. Her first regular appearance was in episode 3.