When Dr. Auschlander and Alex Corey are arguing in the St. Eligius chapel, the portrait of Father Joseph McCabe can be seen. It is a newly created prop featuring the likeness of Edward Herrmann, who played Father McCabe in flashbacks to 1935, 1945 and 1955 in Time Heals: Part 1 (1986) and Time Heals: Part 2 (1986). In previous episodes, there had been a different, more generic portrait.
While listening to the song "Rock 'n' Roll High School", Lizzie tells Carol that she should watch Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979). The film was directed by Allan Arkush, who also directed this episode.
Referring to Alex Corey, Luther says to Dr. Auschlander, "This guy's from the Twilight Zone." Norman Lloyd (Dr. Auschlander) later played Merlin in A Day in Beaumont/The Last Defender of Camelot (1986).
Elliot says that he loves The Cosby Show (1984). Like St. Elsewhere (1982), that series was broadcast on NBC.
The title is based on the scientific term for man: Homo Sapien.