'Breaking Bad' Deal Finalized: 16 Episodes Will End the Series

We've raised our questions about the mismanagement over at AMC of their wildly successful series, and it looks like the very public negotiations have started to take their toll: "Breaking Bad" will end after just 16 more episodes, following the end of this season.

That might sound like bad news (and for those who can't get enough of the show, it is), but it's actually what everyone involved wanted. The deal was struck between AMC and Sony, who are stepping a bit outside the norm to ensure that the show gets the run it deserves...normally the network (AMC) would take over all production costs at this point, but Sony has agreed to pitch in to keep the show going on AMC for its final season.

As for Vince Gilligan and the cast, they're not opposed to seeing the show go away. Gilligan has said that he imagines five seasons to be the right number, and Bryan Cranston has said that he would rather "quit a year early than a year too late," according to Collider.

As much as I love every second of watching this show, that's probably the right approach. You'd hate to see a masterpiece like "Breaking Bad" jump the shark.

So after the end of the current season, production will begin on one last 16-episode order. We will probably end up getting those episodes as two shorter seasons, but as of now that isn't confirmed.

The end is in sight. How will things end for Walt? Will the cancer finally get the best of him? Will he instead go out in a blaze of glory? Will he actually win out and live through this whole ordeal? Will Mr. Eyebrows get his car wash back?