years old. The episode's screenwriter, Alan Brennert, was worried this would come off as creepy and made the two characters the same age. He also added in the aspect of Peter being a loner who comes out of his shell thanks to his relationship with Charity; however, he resisted the producers' suggestion that he modernize the story by having Peter introduce Charity to elements of 1980s-specific pop culture. Robert MacNaughton, who was known for his role as Elliott's brother Michael in 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, was initially cast in the role of Peter Wood, but dropped out shortly before filming was due to begin. The producers quickly scheduled a casting call to find a replacement, and Robert Duncan McNeill was offered the role and flown out to Los Angeles within a day of his audition, which had taken place in New York. Actress Kerry Noonan originally auditioned for the part of Ursula Miller, but after reading the script, implored the casting directors to let her read for the lead role of Charity Payne as well. Noonan was ultimately passed up for both roles, and the part of Charity Payne was given to Justine Bateman, who had not auditioned but had been cast on the strength of her lead roles in a popular sitcom of the time and a television film. According to Brennert, Bateman (whom he did not name) had difficulty with the Puritan lingo and refused to take direction during the first two days of filming, which were devoted to shooting the 20th century scenes, with Bateman talking to McNeill from off-camera. Due to the extent of the problems with Bateman, Brennert felt the best solution was to recast the part, even though it was Friday and filming of the Charity scenes was scheduled to begin on Monday. The casting director recalled that Noonan had done a good reading for Charity, and at his suggestion she was called in for another audition. Noonan said the part came very naturally to her, since she was an avid reader of historical fiction, had played in a number of historical dramas in high school, and even used to role-play as a Puritan when she was a young child. Though the Charity shots and Peter shots were mostly filmed separately, the scene where Peter washes his car while Charity gardens was filmed with Robert Duncan McNeill positioned at the edge of the