The TV Zone

(Doug Hyun/AMC)

Great shows always seem to pose the same strange paradox, or at least they do for me - we want more but realize that they have within them the seeds of their own demise, if not destruction. "The Wire" could not last forever, and God knows, no one - including David Simon - wanted it to or expected it to. Same with "Sopranos" and some actually believed it may have stayed a little beyond a reasonable date of expiration. (Not me - I miss it every day...)

But what about "Breaking Bad" - a certifiable great one, and in the same ballpark with "Mad Men."

How much longer? I put that question to creator Vince Gilligan the other day on the eve of last night's spectacular finale, and the word he seemed most comfortable with was "four," as in four seasons, which means we may well be at the halfway mark.

I say "may" because even he seemed uncomfortable with making projections about "when," but he noted that he had just signed a new deal with Sony and AMC, and that he was very happy with his partners and they with him. No one was in a rush to wrap up this yarn, and he certainly isn't. But still...

The brilliantly rendered story of Walter H. White has been pulled so tightly, and the dramatic tension is so taut, that it'd be tough to maintain this season after season. There is an end-point - that is now clear - but when?

Gilligan says he and the writers have been working on the third season "just under a month and we're asking ourselves right now, what happens next? Where does this season take us, and after this season ends where do we go from here? It's so hard to answer [how much longer] and I'm not being coy, but...it does seem to me to be a story [and] show about mortality and facing mortality...It does seem to be a certain ending, and it's the ending we all face, that in life none of us get out alive.

"In my mind's eye, I've always seen four seasons. I'm not speaking for AMC or Sony. My gut tells me that. But it's hard to say. You don't want to be the last one to leave the party - you want to leave with everyone" wanting more.

Suffice it to say, the "Breaking Bad" crew usually has a very good idea of how a season proceeds. Clues to last night's finale - in fact - were placed in the show titles this season; all we had to do was piece those titles together.

And what were those titles? Beginning with the season premiere...

"Seven Thirty Seven"..."Down"..."Over"..."ABQ."

A call for nomination: Anna Gunn for best actress (Doug Hyun/AMC)

I'm not in the habit of doing this and am pretty certain I have no intention of getting in the habit of doing this, but some things merit an exception to the rule.

This one exception: My immediate, visceral reaction to the finale of "Breaking Bad," airing this Sunday.

I've seen a lot of TV the last few weeks - finales mostly, or voting mishaps on "American Idol," and the like.

But this finale - yes, this one, entitled "ABQ" - quite literally made me double up in pain in the closing seconds. I drew in my breath, held it, then released it. I then posted this blog.

A promise, sworn on any book of faith you would wish me to swear this promise upon: This Sunday's "Breaking Bad," coupled with with last Sunday's "Phoenix," is the most extraordinary finale of the season. This is like nothing you have ever seen.

And once again, a prediction: "Breaking Bad" will be nominated for a best drama Emmy this July. If there is any justice, and often there is not, "Breaking Bad" will win in September. This is the best program on television, commercial or pay.

Plus, this prediction: Anna Gunn will be nominated and - justice, please - win as well.

My newspaper review, in Saturday's Newsday, on the jump...

Continue reading ""Breaking Bad:" The Finale" »

Noticed how much smoother relations between "Breaking Bad" and "AMC" are than relations between said network and "Mad Men?" AMC just announced a third season for the terrific sophomore (my prediction: An easy Best drama nod for the season). Simple as pie. To get a third season of "Mad Men" in the works, AMC had to request a summit with Prez Obama, the leaders of the Free World, and the guys who are giving all the dough to the banks. And even THEN, it took a half a year...

Bizarre...

The spin: “Breaking Bad is one of the most unique and layered dramas on television today,” said Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Production and Digital Content in a statement. “The Peabody win, the critical acclaim and strong audience growth for the second season reinforce that this is the kind of exceptional original storytelling AMC intends to deliver to audiences. Vince Gilligan and his team deliver bold storylines that truly push the psychic envelope and create a mesmerizing television experience. We look forward to an incredible third season.”

Couldn't agree more...

(Pix: Doug Hyun/AMC)