As of October 2020, this is the highest rated episode of the whole series.
The term "phlebotinum," mentioned as a word that doesn't exist, is, in fact, a term that was originally coined by the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (2019) writer David Greenwalt. According to Joss Whedon, who created both shows, the term is similar to that of "maguffin," meaning an imaginary object that serves no purpose other than to move the plot forward.
The episode title comes from Enoch, who has used "As I have always been" in his linguistics before.
Elizabeth Henstridge was told at the start of season seven that she would direct episode nine with the writers giving her character Jemma Simmons a smaller role in the previous episode to allow time for Henstridge to prepare for "As I Have Always Been."