The title is a reference to a joke - The town is flooded and the preacher climbs to the roof of his church so as not to drown. A man in a rowboat tries to rescue him but the preacher refuses to get in, saying "the Lord will save me." A man in a motorboat tries to rescue him but the preacher refuses to get in, saying "the Lord will save me." Man in a helicopter tries to rescue him, but the preacher refuses to get in, saying "the Lord will save me." The preacher eventually drowns and when he meets God in heaven he asks "Oh Lord, why didn't you save me?" And the Lord replied "I sent two boats and a helicopter, what else would you have Me do?"
Christopher Eccleston originally auditioned for the role of Kevin Garvey (the role later played by Justin Theroux). When he didn't get the part, he lobbied Damon Lindelof to give him the role of Jamison instead as he was fascinated by what a character like that would do in such turbulent times.
This episode focuses on the beleaguered priest Matt Jamison who is a very minor character in the original source novel, only appearing twice. Damon Lindelof felt the character was worthy of expansion as it allowed him to explore the role of faith following the Departures.
One of the books visible on a table in Matt Jamison's home is "Perforated Heart" by Eric Bogosian.
Janel Moloney, who plays Mary in this episode, also played Donna Moss on The West Wing which featured the Two Boats and a Helicopter story in the episode Take This Sabbath Day, although in that episode it was a new report, a rowboat, and a helicopter.