GOTHAM Recap: “The Rise of Azrael”

So, if the man you kill gets brought back from the dead, are you technically still a murderer? I guess that’s for the Gotham judicial system to decide, IF Jim ever comes clean about killing Theo Galavan in the first place. Maybe the charge would be reduced to; “Assault, resulting in temporary mortality.” Anyway, Theo Galavan is alive again. He’s resilient, super strong, and Bat-Crap Crazy! He thinks he’s a demi-god named Azrael. And instead of setting him straight, Hugo Strange encourages the delusion, in hopes of controlling him. And guess what? It appears to be working. Strange is using information from the book of Saint Dumas. That’s the book used by the cult of ninja-monks that helped Galavan try and take over Gotham last year. Yeah, that actually happened. Using the mythos from the book, Hugo Strange convinces Galavan that he is indeed the Azrael mentioned in the text, and that Strange is his father. Interesting! So does that mean that Miss Peabody is his mother?

Jim Gordon goes to Arkham to confront Hugo Strange. He knows that Strange took control of Pinewood farms. But Strange isn’t talking. He does see Jim as a threat though. That’s why Strange sends Azrael out to kill him. It’s kind of an eye-for-an-eye thing. Plus, now Azrael, dressed mostly in a dark armor-like costume, and wearing a mask, can go on this quest like some kind of dark knight. Wait a minuet! Is Azrael the inspiration for Batman? Yes he is! When Bruce sees min in action, he’s mesmerized, and can’t take his eyes off the intimidating figure. Now I know that it’ll be years before this Bruce grows up enough to don the grey/black leotard, but you can see in his eyes that this is when that seed was planted.

Now what’s up with the Riddler. He’s become Arkham’s resident peacemaker. He knows people, and can get inside their heads, even though those heads are a bit muddled. He tries to convince Hugo Strange to let him help with the Jim Gordon problem, but Strange isn’t having any of that nonsense. So Edward Nygma takes matters into his own hands. He discovers how to get out of his cell, then sets off to find out what’s in the hidden basement. He discovers the secret elevator, descends into the unknown. And when he’s confronted with the reality of what’s down there. He is a bit overwhelmed. But we’ll have to wait till next week to see what he discovers in Hugo Strange & Miss Peabody’s house of horrors. Don’t you just love how weird those two are? You think they’re actually a couple?

Azrael fights and moves like the Batman. No wonder Bruce is so impressed. He goes after Gordon, and is unsuccessful the first go-round. So to keep Jim safe, Captain Barnes has him arrested. But locking Jim up in the police station doesn’t stop Azrael. He knocks out the power and then crashes through the stained-glass window, killing cops left and right. Captain Barnes lets Jim out, to help fight. Then Barnes lures  Azrael to the roof, while Jim goes to get more fire power. That’s a big mistake for Captain Barnes. Azrael easily overpowers him, even after his sword is broken, and stabs him with the jagged remains. And unfortunately for Barnes, this may have been a deathblow. He might not survive. And when Jim does come to the roof to face Azrael, he’s able to shoot him, blowing him off the edge roof. But not before his mask is knocked off. And now Jim knows that Theo Galavan is alive again. Or at least, he was alive again.

Below, there are news reporters covering the precinct attack on the street. But Azrael isn’t dead, even though he falls, hard, landing on the roof of a van, right in front of the cameras. The reports catch it all on their live feed. Azrael survives the impossible fall and makes his escape. But without his mask, everyone sees that this new super villain is actually Theo Galavan, Gotham’s former Mayor. Say What!!! And a few people in particular are more than a little surprised: Tabitha, Theo’s Sister, and her boyfriend, mobster Butch are watching the news with crazy Barbara.  While the Penguin is enjoying some alone-time with his dead Stepmother when he sees the news report. His reaction is a bit maniacal, while the Stepmother he recently murdered, is understandably unmoved. STAY TUNED!!!!