"Je souhaite" means "I wish" in French.
Although Vince Gilligan produced and wrote for The X-Files for much of its run, this is one of only two episodes he personally directed. The other is Season 9's Sunshine Days (2002). Both are humorous episodes unrelated to the series' wider mythology.
Kevin Weisman initially had an allergic reaction to the dust being powdered over his semi-naked body. An alternative had to be found quickly.
Vince Gilligan: [idiots] The terminally stupid brothers are similar to various stock characters in Gilligan's later show Breaking Bad (2008).