Season 4 Premiere of "Breaking Bad" on AMC, Sunday, July 17, 2011

The summer doldrums of re-runs and favorite programs missing from the air waves is improving with such events as tonight's premiere of "Breaking Bad," which showed on AMC to open Season 4.

When last season ended, we were left to wonder if Jesse really killed the rival chemist. In this episode, entitled "Box Cutter," we find out. Murders and the requisite disposal of a body is, again, part of the grim legacy of "Breaking Bad."

Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) were in a terrible situation as Season 3 ended, with their death at the hands of Gus (Gustavo) Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) seemingly imminent. If Gus had no further use for his "cookers" their goose might, figuratively and literally, be cooked as well.

However, that all works out, but with one of the goriest murder s scenes ever shown on television. It reminded of the heyday of "The Sopranos," with Tony murdering various gang members and dealing with the clean-up issues. The segment was so violently intense that AMC ran a disclaimer warning viewers that the upcoming scenes would be violent and intense.

After all the mayhem in the plot, Jesse and Walt are shown at a Denny's, where Jesse is even able to eat. He wryly makes the comment that they're not dead but that they're now in a position where they'll wish that they were. The entire scenario reminds of the "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."

There are some sub-plots involving Skyler White (Anna Gunn), who becomes alarmed when Walt can't be found and even contacts Saul Goodman, the sleazy lawyer played by funnyman Bob Odenkirk. Saul is down on his hands and knees sweeping his office for bugs, at the time of her call, and he isn't too happy to hear from Skyler.

There is also a minor subplot involving Hank Schrader's (Dean Norris') slow recovery from his injuries suffered last season. Hank is not being a good little soldier and cheery visits from his wife Marie (Betsy Brandt) are just annoying him further.

This was a strong season opener that went about as dark as you can go. It will be interesting to see where Walt and Jesse go from here.