More or less every Supernatural fan was drawn to the show thanks to the performances of Jared Palecki as Sam and Jensen Ackles as Dean. The pair are beyond synonymous with the series, and both have professed to being fans themselves, including having their own picks for best episode. Jared Padalecki’s favorite Supernatural episode isn’t just a fan-favorite or a clever detour - it’s one of the greatest hours of TV the series ever produced. The actor revealed his pick after the show wrapped, and as someone who’s watched the Winchesters battle everything from Lucifer to Leviathans, I can confidently say his choice is spot on.

Of course, Supernatural had no shortage of standout episodes. From heartbreaking character deaths to world-ending stakes, the show knew how to keep fans coming back. But it was also fearless in breaking the fourth wall, poking fun at itself, and letting its stars play in totally unexpected ways. Jared Padalecki’s favorite Supernatural episode is one of those moments - a bold, hilarious, and surprisingly meta story that turned the show’s universe upside down. It’s an episode that only Supernatural could have pulled off, and one that cemented its place as a genre series that never took itself too seriously. This episode is, of course, season 6’s “The French Mistake.”

"The French Mistake" Is Jared Padalecki's Favorite Supernatural Episode

Jared Padalecki's Meta Favorite Proves Just How Far Supernatural Was Willing To Go

In a 2016 interview with for Sam and Dean Winchester. It was a total reality-bending twist that saw the brothers catapulted into a world where Supernatural is a TV show, and they’re actors named Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles.

Jared Padalecki’s choice makes perfect sense when you rewatch the episode with that in mind. “The French Mistake” gave the cast and crew a rare chance to completely shake off the show’s usual stakes and structure. In doing so, they got to parody themselves, the entertainment industry, and even the absurdity of a series like Supernatural being filmed in the first place. Padalecki hilariously played an exaggerated version of himself - complete with lavish home, a very vocal love of alpacas, and a not-so-great reputation among the “crew.” It’s a rare kind of comedic performance, and he clearly relished the opportunity to poke fun at his own image.

What’s interesting, though, is that “The French Mistake” isn’t the only episode Padalecki holds close. In a later interview (again with EW), he reflected on how the Supernatural series finale also ranks among his favorites, largely because of its emotional weight and personal significance. After all, saying goodbye to Sam Winchester after fifteen years wasn’t easy, and the finale gave him (and fans) a meaningful sendoff.

Still, while the Supernatural finale was poignant, “The French Mistake” was pure creative chaos - and arguably a more daring example of what the show could achieve when it let loose. Jared Padalecki’s favorite Supernatural episode reveals something crucial about the actor’s relationship to the series: he loved when it took chances. “The French Mistake” wasn’t just funny or self-aware - it was a perfect encapsulation of Supernatural’s ability to reinvent itself. That, more than any monster or myth, is why it remains unforgettable.

"The French Mistake" Is A Genius Supernatural Episode Everyone Should Watch

This Hilariously Meta Hour Is Supernatural At Its Most Self-Aware And Creative

“The French Mistake” is everything that makes Supernatural great wrapped into one gloriously bizarre hour of television. The episode begins with the archangel Raphael threatening Castiel, who sends Sam and Dean to an alternate universe as a way to keep them safe. However, this isn't just any alternate universe - it's our world, where Supernatural is a TV show, and Sam and Dean are actors Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. What follows is a brilliant, off-the-wall meta adventure where the Winchesters are forced to navigate craft services, stunt rehearsals, and awkward celebrity interviews.

There’s something deeply refreshing about seeing a show that’s willing to take a hammer to its own mythology.

What makes “The French Mistake” so brilliant isn’t just the clever writing - it’s how fully committed the episode is to the bit. From Dean’s horrified reaction to his “fake” life to Sam trying (and failing) to act like Jared Padalecki, every scene is loaded with visual gags, absurdity, and inside jokes. The show even ropes in series creator Eric Kripke, executive producer Bob Singer, and real crew as fictionalized versions of themselves, poking fun at the entertainment machine that made Supernatural a global success.

There’s something deeply refreshing about seeing a show that’s willing to take a hammer to its own mythology. At this point in season 6, Supernatural had already gone to hell and back - literally. “The French Mistake” hits pause on all that and reminds us why we fell in love with the series in the first place: its willingness to be weird, wild, and wildly self-deprecating. The jokes come fast, the pacing is sharp, and the performances are on another level. Jared Padalecki’s favorite Supernatural episode earns that title because it balances pure comedy with real love for the show’s legacy.

Jared Palecki’s favorite Supernatural episode also gave fans a look behind the curtain (sort of). While the version of Hollywood presented in “The French Mistake” is exaggerated, it’s also filled with Easter eggs and inside references that longtime fans ate up. From fake Twitter beefs to producer cameos, this was an episode made for the fandom. While it could’ve easily gone off the rails, it’s executed with such precision that it feels like the show operating at its peak.

Supernatural Episodes That Broke The Formula Were Always A Lot Of Fun

Some Of Supernatural's Most Iconic Episodes Came When It Threw Out The Rulebook

While Supernatural was built on a solid formula (salt, burn, repeat) some of its best episodes came when it broke away from that structure entirely. Episodes like “Mystery Spot,” “Changing Channels,” and of course, “The French Mistake” are beloved not just because they’re funny or strange, but because they remind fans how flexible and fearless the show could be. When Supernatural leaned into its own weirdness, it created some of the most memorable television of its fifteen-season run.

That balance of the surreal and the sincere is what made these outlier episodes of Supernatural feel so essential.

Jared Padalecki’s favorite Supernatural episode is a perfect example of how the show embraced experimentation. “The French Mistake” wasn’t just a funny diversion - it was a love letter to the show’s cast, crew, and fans. It wasn’t the only one, either. For example, season 5’s “Changing Channels” had Sam and Dean trapped in parodies of popular TV genres, from soap operas to sitcoms, while season 3’s “Mystery Spot” delivered a time-loop twist that was equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious. These episodes worked not just because they were clever, but because they stayed true to the characters even while tossing them into absurd situations.

That balance of the surreal and the sincere is what made these outlier episodes of Supernatural feel so essential. They gave the audience a breather from the apocalypse-of-the-week and showed that Supernatural was always more than just a horror series. It was a show about two brothers who could survive anything - even the fourth wall.