This episode was given a special profile in American TV Guide before its first broadcast.

The final line of Chrichton's message to his father was originally intended for the end of the premiere episode.

The final scenes of the episode were shot with everyone from the cast and the crew watching, before a champagne celebration to mark the end of filming of the first season.

The image of the burning moon had been in producer David Kemper's mind for a considerable time before "Family Ties" went into production, allowing the visual effects house time to work out how to achieve it.

This was the final episode of Farscape shot at Fox Studios in the center of Sydney. Their stage was required for the shooting of the new Star Wars movie, so production was moved to the old customs warehouse at Homebush Bay.

"Family Ties" marked the end of an association with Farscape for visual effects house Garner MacLennan Design, who were replaced by Animal Logic for the remainder of the series' run on television.

"Family Ties" also saw the first break up of the regular cast as British puppeteer John Eccleston gave his final performance operating Rygel.