In this episode, the stuffed animal Grumpy Cat that Cas gave Claire from "The Hot Topical" in Angel Heart (2015) can be seen on her bed.
This is the first time Claire was in an episode without Castiel.
Sam is bemused by a photo of a weasel riding a flying woodpecker. The photo was taken in an English park in 2015 and became known as the "weaselpecker" photo. The least weasel is a diminutive but fearless carnivore known for attacking larger animals, including birds. European green woodpeckers spend a lot of time on the ground eating ants. Best guess is that the weasel jumped the bird, who then tried to escape.
The episode title refers to the Simple Minds hit, also contained in The Breakfast Club OST.
Flashbacks are shows in this episode from the episode in which Alex first appeared, season 9 episode 19, "Alex Annie Alexis Ann".