‘Breaking Bad’ Season 5 Confirmed Split in Two Eight-Episode Doses

Personally, we'll just be happy when 'Breaking Bad' returns period, especially after the season finale that had us all blown away with its brutality.  But as long as 'Breaking Bad' is confirmed to return this summer, it's nice to know just how exactly we'll be getting our weekly dose of vitamin B.

Speaking in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, 'Breaking Bad' star Bryan Cranston confirmed that for the 16 remaining episodes of 'Breaking Bad,' eight will be shown this summer, with the next eight likely to air next year.  It remains unknown if for marketing purposes, the episode runs will be treated as a fifth and sixth season for 'Breaking Bad,' or simply one expanded season.  Specifically, Cranston says, “We’re splitting it. We’re going to shoot the first eight, then take a four-month production break, then the rest will air next year.”

Whether that means that 'Breaking Bad's back eight, of which Cranston will direct the premiere, will be paired alongside 'The Walking Dead's similarly-divided 16-episode order for 2013 remains to be seen.

Speaking on the season's focus, Cranston says “We pick up right where we left off. We’re cleaning up the pieces from last season’s huge ordeal where Gus Fring was forced to meet his maker. It’s not as easy as Walter thought. And as we’ve discovered over the years, you don’t really know who Walter White is. I’m still discovering who he is and I’m trying to allow myself to be open to him going darker and darker. There’s physical danger to himself and his family, plus there’s the emotional danger due to his anger and hubris. It’s about the evil that men do and where that takes him.”

It's heartbreaking to think that 'Breaking Bad' only has 16 more episodes to unfold, but splitting them up like this will undoubtedly give Vince Gilligan and co. the best opportunity to blow our faces off all over again.  How about you?  What are you most looking forward to from the new season of 'Breaking Bad?'