Gotham

Season 2: Rise of the Villains / Wrath of the Villains

Episode 19: Azrael

SPOILERS___Hugo Strange has brought back Galavan from the dead ... though he is, mentally speaking, quite insane ... caught up in the teachings from an ancient book his family coveted (The Order of St Dumas). ___ Gordon pays a visit to Strange at his office to query him about his involvement in Pinewood past. Hugo artistically skirts around the questions with vague answers (aiming to shift the fault onto Thomas Wayne) and a bit of psycho babble. When questioned about Freeze, Strange claims him to be deceased. When Jim wants to know where he's buried, Hugo claims he was cremated (which, of course, we know is a lie.) ___ In Arkham: We find Ed Nigma pulling psycho babble of his own on the other inmates. He shares a few hateful words with Gordon as he walks by. Moments later, as Hugo and Ms Peabody walk by he overhears a bit of their discussion and sets out to impress the doctor somewhat. His mention of "everybody has a story" seems to trigger an idea in Hugo as to how to handle his latest experiment --- Azrael/Galavan --- and he rushes to the holding room and walks right in to test his theory. Azrael/Galavan tosses him around a little but Hugo soon gains communicative control over him. They show Azrael/Galavan films covering the teachings of the Order of St Dumas to further implant the persona of Azrael in Galavan. ___ Bruce gets frustrated with Bullock and Gordon because nothing is getting done to Hugo Strange. Policies and paperwork just aren't working in their favor right now. Gordon manages to convince him that going about things the wrong way ends up making you no better than your enemy. ___ @ Arkham: As one of the inmates is led out of the prisoners area, Nigma uses a newspaper to keep the door from locking shut and manages to get out. He starts toward the exit, but curiosity gets the better of him ... Strange is hiding something. He follows. To the mysterious dead end hallway. ___ @ Hugo's hidden laboratory: Hugo presents Galavan with a sword and presents him with a mission to kill a sinner by name of James Gordon. ___ Gordon, Bullock and Bruce confront Capt Barnes at a crime scene to try and tell him what they've found out, but Barnes doesn't want to pay attention to Gordon (but grants him 5 minutes anyway). Gordon explains that Jennings is dead by the hand of Freeze and Hugo is to blame. Barnes isn't buying it. He tells Jim, since he knows everything, he should try running things --- Jim replies "maybe i will some day" (dun dun dunnn). They are then interrupted by Azrael/Galavan (in a masked and caped costume) coming to claim Jim Gordon. Capt Barnes is knocked out. When Azrael/Galavan is visible to the others in silhouette with the cape and all, Bruce sure looks transfixed. ___ Bruce gets sassy with Barnes and Barnes gets on him for putting his nose into police business. ___ Nigma has the other inmates gathering items for him so he can try to figure out what Hugo is up to. ___ Penguin is still wandering around the mansion of his father with the dead bodies - getting drunk. ___ Wandering down an alley way, Azrael/Galavan sees a poster advertising "Galavan for Mayor" and has momentary flashbacks. ___ Barnes locks up Gordon for breaking out Jennings since he can't figure out any other way to keep him from interfering. ___ Love the part with Hugo reading from Alice In Wonderland ... "we're all mad here". ___ Barnes and Jim discuss who gets to choose when its okay to break the law. The station blacks out and Azrael/Galavan breaks in to settle his mission with Gordon. Azrael means to parlay with Barnes --- either he gets Jim or all will die --- Barnes tells him to go to hell --- Azrael/Galvan says "I've been there, you go." He slices through the cops quickly and corners Barnes on the roof. In the scuffle that follows, Barnes sees Azrael/Galavan's face. Jim arrives too late and Barnes is mortally wounded. Jim shoots Azrael/Galavan off the roof and he lands on top of a van in the middle of a press circus below that is reporting on the shooting. ___ @ Butch's hideaway: Butch, Tabitha and Barbara are kicked back watching Barbara play with the remote ... changing channels rapidly. (Barbara seems a bit flakey here). She gets up to make drinks and they see Galavan on TV. ___ So does Penguin ("hello, old friend") ___ Nigma searches for the secret doorway. He finds it and takes an elevator ride down ... discovering the lower level holding cells. ___ The episode ends with Azrael/Galavan standing on top of Gotham's bridge in the moonlight (very intimidating ending).