Writer:	Elizabeth Craft, Brent Fletcher
Director:	David Boreanaz
Star:	David Boreanaz (Angel),  Amy Acker (Winifred "Fred" Burkle),  James Marsters (Spike),  Andy Hallett (Lorne),  J. August Richards (Charles Gunn),  Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce)
Recurring Role:	Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall),  Christian Kane (Lindsey McDonald(Uncredited)),  Sarah Thompson (Eve)
Guest Star:	Jodi Harris (Woman),  Rob Evors (Man),  Carmen Nicole (Lana),  Ciara Hughes (Blue Fairy)

According to writer Brent Fletcher on the DVD commentary, the larger version of the sucking creature that causes Angel's hallucinations cost $80,000. (edit) Christian Kane is uncredited for this episode, probably to prevent a leak about his return to the show. (edit) When filming this episode, Christian's character was named Sean to keep spoiler-hounds off-balance about Lindsey being back on the show. (edit) The writers probably had the episode "Restless" from season 4 of Buffy in mind when they were making Angel's weird dreams. (edit) On the UK VHS boxset David Fury and Jefferson Kibbee are incorrectly credited as writing and directing this episode. (edit)

Spike: I didn't do this for a reward.
Gunn: That's why you're getting one! (edit) Spike: You can't throw a bloody stone in this town without hitting some bimbo in trouble. (edit) Lindsey: We need a champion.
Spike: You are barking up the wrong vampire. (edit) Spike: If you know so much about me, you must know that I get really violent when I'm being played. (edit) Angel: Spike?
Spike: No need to thank me. Just helping the helpless.
(edit)

Spike's storyline in Soul Purpose deliberately parallels Angel's storyline in season 1 episode 1, City Of. City Of opens with Angel in a bar; he saves two girls in the alley from two vampires; he meets a stranger named Doyle, who gets visions and says he was sent from the Power that Be. Soul Purpose opens with Spike in a strip club; he saves one girl from one vampire in the alley; he meets a stranger named Doyle, who gets visions and says he was sent from the Powers that Be. (edit) In Angel's dream where Fred cuts him open, the items she pulls out of him are his liver, his kidneys, a walnut, a pearl necklace, some raisins, a license plate and a fish bowl. (edit) This episode was written mostly to give Angel an episode where he did not have to do a lot of moving or any fighting. The reason is David Boreanaz had knee surgery, and he spends most of the episode in bed. Whenever he is moving, it is slow and methodical and works within the situation of the episode. Angel's disoriented condition helped cover over that an immortal, super healing vampire has a bum knee. Even the next few episodes has Angel sitting or leaning in every scene possible. (edit)

Spike: Great. Another ruddy basement.

This is a reference to Spike's period of time in the basement of Sunnydale High School in season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where the First Evil was driving him insane. (edit) Lindsey: (referring to Spike) I mean he hasn't sewn a big red S on his chest yet.
Lindsey makes a reference to DC comics superhero Superman, who has a big S on his chest. (edit) Gunn: We open a can of Machiavelli on his ass.
Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 1513. The manuscript outlines the characteristics of a successful ruler and is the source of the infamous quote, "The ends justify the means." Machiavelli has become a symbol for ruthless tactics and The Prince has been found on the bedside tables of leaders a diverse as Lincoln and Hitler. There is much debate over whether the piece was written seriously or as a satire of the powerful Medici family. (edit) Lindsey: From what I hear Angel didn't save the girl on his first mission.

This refers to the first episode of the series "City Of" (1x01) in which Angel fails to save Tina, the first "helpless" that Doyle's vision sent him to save. The vampire who killed Tina, Russell, was Lindsey's client. (edit) Angel: Gunn, get a meeting with your best Judas.
This refers to Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's disciples who betrayed Jesus by alerting the Roman soldiers to his location. The term "Judas" is now often used to describe a traitor. (edit)