Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki effectively take on supporting roles here, leaving the way for guest star Tricia Helfer to front the episode. The Supernatural (2005) production team were very conscious of their fans' enthusiasm for all things sci-fi so Helfer was cast because of her role in the reboot of Battlestar Galactica (2003).
In the beginning of the episode the husband David says they are on Hwy 99, but then the couple pass a Hwy 41 sign. On Hwy 99 near where it crosses Hwy 41 there is a street called Jensen Ave.
Dean says, "Follow that creepy brick road!" which is clearly word play on the famous line "Follow the yellow brick road" from the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz (1939).