Breaking Bad Cast Drops Hints About Darkest Season Yet at Comic-Con

The cast of Breaking Bad offered some tidbits about the shows fifth season during a Comic-Con International panel in San Diego on Friday night. While exact details remained elusive, one thing was clear: The season, which premieres on Sunday night, is the shows darkest yet.This season is about winning; and what it means to stay on top, said executive producer Vince Gilligan.

This entire season is just creepy. Unsettling, added Aaron Paul, who plays meth dealer Jesse Pinkman.

The hour-long panel, moderated by TV Guides Michael Schneider, marked the first time Breaking Bad has made an appearance at Comic-Con. The panelists included Gilligan and seven of the shows actors, including Bryan Cranston, who stars as chemistry teacher-turned-meth maker Walter White.

Some devoted fans had apparently shown up early really early to get a good seat.Im scared to leave this line up. I dont want to miss breaking bad IN 5 HOURS. What is another 5 hours without peeing? tweeted a user named @elizabutt.

Despite the shows intensity, the panelists were clearly having a good time. Hitfixnoted thatCranston and Paul came onstage dressed in yellow hazmat suits. Actor Dean Norris who plays Whites DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank Schrader was dressed in an outfit that made him look like Xena.

At one point, the cast started eating some of Walter Whites famous blue meth, reportedTV Guide. Later, asked if his character had any redeeming qualities, Cranston said, He makes damn good meth.

The fifth season is the shows last, with 16 episodes set to air in two blocks of eight before it wraps up in 2013. In that time, Cranstons character reaches new lows: Gilligan said Walt does something during the season that made Gilligan lose all sympathy for the character, though he wouldnt specify what.

Hes found a new power and its his ego, Cranston said, according to the shows Twitter feed.

The new season adds two new characters into the mix. Jesse Plemons of Friday Night Lights plays a guy named Todd, and Scottish actress Laura Fraser plays Lydia, a former associate of meth kingpin Gus Fring, who died at the end of the fourth season. Pinkmans drug runner buddies Badger and Skinny Pete also make a return.

The show also brings in Madrigal, a German company that was bankrolling Gus operation. Gilligan said to expect more German subtitles on the show, noting that the second episode partially takes place in Hanover, Germany.

During the question-and-answer session, a fan asked if the season will include any bottle episodes, low-budget productions designed to save on costs. Gilligan said the seasons fifth episode is actually the polar opposite of a bottle episode. It was also the first one of the series that was filmed outside of Albuquerque all the way in Santa Fe, an hours drive away.

Asked what he plans to do after Breaking Bad, Gilligan said hed love to do TV or movies. In a very greedy sense, I hope that this is not the highlight of my career, he said.