Japanese Title: 「憂国への帰還」 - 「Yūkoku e no Kikan」

The number for this episode is given as the infinity symbol on the episode's title screen.

Kirk Thornton voices both Hideo Kuze and CIA Agent Suzuki Satō, the latter of whom kills the former.

Final Standoff: "PROLOGUE"
Gouda's demise at the hands of Section 9 is a direct reference to the prologue of the 1991 Ghost in the Shell manga by Shirō Masamune. The suitcase machine guns are even taken from the beginning of the manga. This marks the third time that the event has been recreated since the manga. It can also be seen at the beginning of Mamoru Oshii's 1995 movie Ghost in the Shell (in which the manga scene is reenacted) and at the end of the 2nd GIG episode "REBOOT".

Next Mission: "SUPER SPARTAN"
Section 9's assembly under a canopy of cherry trees with their new AI is a direct reference to the first chapter of the 1991 Ghost in the Shell manga by Shirō Masamune entitled "SUPER SPARTAN". Motoko's line that they are done with the cherry blossom viewing is also taken directly from the manga.

Cityscape: "DRAIN"
As in the 1st GIG episode "STAND ALONE COMPLEX" and the 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie by Mamoru Oshii, the cityscape of Niihama (New Port City) is given the final scene in the episode. The scene is a reference to the final panel of the last chapter of the 1991 Ghost in the Shell manga by Shirō Masamune entitled "DRAIN".

Batou Recognises Watanabe
After Gōda is taken out by the Major, Batou turns and sees CIA Agent Tanaka Watanabe, who was last seen in the 1st GIG episode "JUNGLE CRUISE". His partner, Suzuki Satō, is seen moments later administering a micromachine lethal injection to Kuze.