This is known in the trade as a "bottle episode". In order to cut costs, the action of the episode is largely confined to just one or two sets.
The alien parasites seen in this episode are the larvae of the darkling beetle, also known as super worms. They are commonly available as reptile food.
It's likely that the character of Campbell is named in honor of John W. Campbell Jr., author of the story, "Who Goes There?" upon which The Thing from Another World (1951), The Thing (1982) and The Thing (2011) were based.
One of the men in the teaser who shoots himself is played by Ken Kirzinger, the stunt co-ordinator on the series.