'Breaking Bad' to Get Even Badder and Better?

Breaking Bad Season 4 has come just in time for AMC. Since the network doesn't have Mad Men in its summer lineup, and since the outrage over The Killing finale just died down, AMC must be relieved to be Breaking Bad again. Season 4 of the network's other highly acclaimed dark drama has a lot to live up to, after the growing success and awards of the past three years. But reviews indicate that the show is ready to further cement its place as the real best drama on television.

While Mad Men has won three straight Emmys, and is favored for a fourth in a few months, there is growing acceptance that Breaking Bad is AMC's true powerhouse, and the real No. 1 drama on TV. Even Don Draper and company haven't gone as far as dying teacher turned meth cooker turned murderer Walter White- and made fans and critics still love him anyway.

Season 3 left Walter and young partner Jesse on the very brink of disaster, which could only be solved by Jesse committing murder himself. But even if he did or not, the real war with meth kingpin Gus might be just beginning- which would presumably push Walter to even more brutal measures.

The brutal measures he has used so far have already defied TV rules, as his transformation from meek teacher to criminal mastermind continues to shock everyone. While TV is littered with anti-heroes like Don Draper, Tony Soprano, Jack Bauer and more, few main characters, if any, have gone from hero to villain quite like this.

With the high bar set by the first three years, and all the shocking twists along the way, Breaking Bad might seem due for a letdown. But Season 4 has won the best reviews yet, or at least the first few episodes have, as Meta Critic lists a combined score of 96 from 11 critics. In fact, Sunday's season premiere has already been hailed as one of the series' best and most nail biting episodes.

Such episodes may need to be savored while they can, as there is growing speculation that creator Vince Gilligan is winding the show down. He hinted to the New York Times that Season 5 may be the last one, which could make sense in the world of the show, since even Walter can't plausibly sink any lower for much longer. Even Gilligan confessed that he'll be relieved "to not have Walt in my head anymore" after these last several years.

TV viewers and critics have had a similarly hard time getting Walt out of their head, but are still daring him to keep Breaking Bad. After Sunday's premiere, they might be more anxious- and chilled- than ever before, as Season 4 begins at 10 p.m. ET on AMC.

Sources

Meta Critic- "Breaking Bad: Season 4"

New York Times- "The Dark Art Of Breaking Bad"