Supernaturalwas never shy with its meta references, but it was still surprisingly wonderful when the show gave a nod to Jared Padalecki’s role onGilmore Girls. Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as Sam and Dean Winchester were so well-cast and charming that it helped elevateSupernaturalto arguablythe best CW show of all time.
Prior to his career-defining time onSupernatural, Jared Padalecki played Dean Forester,Rory Gilmore’s (Alexis Bledel) first love interest, and was a recurring character in season 1 before becoming a main staple in the second and third seasons. It was the first major role of Jared Padalecki’s career, and it began five years before he became Sam Winchester.
Supernatural’s Huge Gilmore Girls Reference Explained
Supernatural Gets Meta About Jared Padalecki’s Gilmore Girls Role
Early inSupernatural’s 15-season run, the series had a fun “crossover” episode where it paid homage to Jared Padalecki’sGilmore Girlsroots. Supernatural wasn’t shy of getting meta every once in a while with some tongue-in-cheek references throughout, and season 2, episode 18, “Hollywood Babylon"reminded audiences that Padalecki was once a star inGilmore Girls.
In “Hollywood Babylon”, Sam and Dean take a trip to Los Angeles to investigate murders on the set of a horror film, only to find themselves on the Warner Bros. lot, the production company behind bothSupernaturalandGilmore Girls. The Winchester brothers take the studio lot tour, with Dean excited about everything they are seeing.
During the tour,the guide remarks on the Stars Hollow set fromGilmore Girls, and says that they may be lucky enough to spot one of the show’s stars. This is happening as the camera is fixed on Sam, a fun nod to his time on the show. Sam immediately gets off the trolley, which makes the joke even better.
Supernatural’s Gilmore Girls “Crossover” Was Unexpected, But Great
It Was One Of Supernatural’s Most Unexpected References
Given thatSupernaturalis essentially the complete opposite ofGilmore Girlsas a show, virtually no one was expecting to get any sort of “crossover” with the series. Even with Jared Padalecki’s role in both shows and Warner Bros. as the production company,“Hollywood Babylon” was completely unexpected in the best way possible.
“Hollywood Babylon” was one of the first episodes inSupernaturalwhere the show leaned into meta-commentary, breaking the fourth wall in a charming way. Being one of the first episodes to do it helped set it apart from other “crossovers” and references that would be included more frequently as the show continued for so long.
Supernatural’s most popular crossover is arguably theScooby-Dooepisode, “Scoobynatural.”
The loving nod thatSupernaturalgave to the first major role of Jared Padalecki’s career is so great to see, especially sinceGIlmore Girlswas consistently great across its 7-season run. Though the moment was nothing more than a fun reference, it is one of the most memorable meta moments in the entirety ofSupernatural.
Supernatural
Cast
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
Gilmore Girls
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
