In the audio commentary recorded for Pleasure Principle (1987), writer/consultant Jay Huguely said this episode was not meant to be the series finale. Tom Selleck was okay with the idea, but CBS and the syndicators were opposed. CBS renewed the show for an 8th season the night before production began on this episode. He was still writing the episode at the time, and left Magnum walking off into the clouds because the producers knew they would be bringing him back in the first episode of the 8th season.
While some considered the end of The People vs. Orville Wright (1987) an unresolved cliffhanger with Rick in prison, his situation is addressed several times here and finally resolved.
It is pointed out that Magnum had been getting things in order and acting in a much more mature fashion than in the past. He also recently celebrated his 40th birthday. Along with this theme of maturity, his style of dress also changed greatly in this season - shirts with subdued and often solid colors, wearing a luau shirt only a few times, and often wearing slacks.
John Denver - Looking For Space is played three times in full during the episode, first being then opening credits, then mid way though episode then finally the end credits.