Empedocles was a Greek pre-Socratic philosopher and a citizen of Agrigentum, a Greek city in Sicily. Empedocles' philosophy is best known for being the originator of the cosmogonic theory of the four Classical elements. According to legend, in order to become a god, Empedocles threw himself into a volcano in Mount Etna. As such, Empedocles is often associated with fire.
For the scene where the killer tears off his face, actor Jay Underwood had his face painted green and then had a latex mask with slits placed over it. He then tore it off, allowing the special effects department to add in fire over the green areas.
This is second unit director Barry K. Thomas' debut as a lead director. He has yet to repeat that role, concentrating instead on second unit duties.
Annabeth Gish and Jay Underwood featured in this episode previously worked together as teenagers in Desert Bloom (1986).