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'Breaking Bad' back July 17, preview and photo gallery of season 4

By April MacIntyre Jul 5, 2011, 2:16 GMT

About Season 2 The experiment gets out of control in the second season of AMC’s Breaking Bad, the series critics are calling “bleak, heartbreaking, shocking and bitterly funny.”(Frazier Moore, AP) Bryan Cranston shatters suburban stereotypes in his performance as chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin Walt White. As danger and suspicion around him escalate, Walt continues to straddle two conflicting worlds: A ruthless swirl of drugs, murder and mayhem on one hand, ...more

This July 17, AMC’s "Breaking Bad" returns for a fourth season.

The first three episodes went too quickly. You won't be disappointed for the wait; it is as dark and nail-bitingly tense as it has ever been. Heavy scenes and gorgeous cinematography, almost artsy in the lensing, with lots of the color red as a visual pop in scenes.

SPOILERS

Though similar in temperament to a degree, Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) will come to unpleasant loggerheads. Gus is a different kind of animal than Walt - who at his core is a family man with heart.

Walt Jr. (RJ Mitte) Walt’s son does not have too many scenes the first three episodes, but I am sure we will see more of him later on.

Skyler (Anna Gunn) makes a certain peace with Walt and pursues a business. Their relationship dynamic is evolving in a very interesting way. Love how Vince Gilligan finessed this in the writing over time.

Jesse (Aaron Paul) is facing demons, it's bad; how bad it gets is unknown.

Hank (Dean Norris) is depressed, obsessive and hostile to his wife, who acts out because of the stress of his recovery.

Marie (Betsy Brandt) struggles with Hank, her own demons and finding her place. She has great scenes with Hank.

Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) is one of the baddest villains to quietly emerge on the smallscreen. Chilling performance.

Saul (Bob Odenkirk) is over-the-top sleazy and ethically challenged still, and Odenkirk knows how to balance the excess without the character becoming cartoonish. This character is the quirk that keeps this show from the complete noir abyss.