At one point earlier in the series's development, guest star Josh Brolin had been first choice to play Tom Hanson.
The title references the Timbuk 3 song, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades". Coincidentally, various Timbuk 3 songs, including the aforementioned, are featured in this episode.
John D'Aquino and Peter Deluise starred together in Seaquest DSV.