I am - Hercules!!




It's still only May, but I'm already saving a spot on my 2009 top five list for "Breaking Bad," which this season has far outperformed already lofty expectations. I just hope it doesn't crowd AMC's "Mad Men" off.

Things I loved beyond reason:

* Crooked lawyer Saul Goodman, who has recently eclipsed agent Stevie Grant from "The Larry Sanders Show" as my all-time favorite Bob Odenkirk character.

* Fatboy Mohawk and the bicycle kid.

* The fact that Jesse just happened to rent from the hottest landlord on the planet (former model Krysten Ritter). And that she's an addict named Jane. (Did they establish her old boyfriend was named Sergio?)

* Walter's parking-lot staredown with the rival meth kings.

* The fact that Walter seems to ask "Is this some sort of blackmail?" every other episode.

* Last week's "water on Mars" scene with Walter and Donald in the bar.

* The fate of Danny Trejo's Tortuga. Oh yes.

Tonight we finally learn why a one-eyed plush toy and Walter's eyeglasses, among many other things, have been bagged and tagged.

AMC says:

Skyler and Walt collide in the season finale as her frustration with his secrecy finally comes to a head. Jesse self-destructs after a personal blow, forcing Walt to come to his aid. Jane's dad Donald's grief leads to tragedy.

Tragedy!

The Los Angeles Times says:

… Do what you want until 10 p.m., then tune into AMC. Turn off the cell phone -- no texting, no tweeting -- and don't even worry about the DVR, unless it's just to relive it after. You need to see this as soon as possible. Then, good luck trying to fall asleep. Yes, the teddy bear question will be answered. And no, you don't know how it will end up in the pool. You may think you know. You don't.…

Newsday says:

… 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. …

The San Francisco Chronicle says:

… The best show on television is Mad Men. So if you're keeping track at home, the No. 1 and No. 2 dramas on all of television currently reside on AMC. Who knew? At 10 p.m. Sunday, Breaking Bad's Season 2 finale will close what has been a stunningly creative 13-episode sophomore season. …

The Newark Star Ledger says:

Last year, "Breaking Bad" was an interesting series with a great star performance. This year, the rest of the show has caught up to brilliant leading man Bryan Cranston, and it's become one of the best series on TV as a result. Along with fellow AMC drama "Mad Men" (which will be back in August), it's the worthiest heir to "The Sopranos" that we have on television right now. …

Hulu and AMC's website don't have the "Breaking Bad" episodes you missed, but you can still get them via On Demand. If you don't have On Demand but do have a bunch of money burning a hole in your pocket, you can catch up on all the prior adventures of Walter White and company via Amazon's video-on-demand service.

10 p.m. Sunday. AMC.