Gotham S02E19: Azrael Robin Lord Taylor, Ben McKenzie Premiere Recap

Fox continues Season 2 of the Batman prequel series, Gotham, with Wrath of the Villains. In episode 18, Azrael, can Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) and Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) handle Dr. Hugo Strange (BD Wong)?

Theo Galavan (James Frain) has gone insane as he scratches the walls with his bloody fingers. Strange knows the secret history of the Order of St. Dumas. His experiment is interrupted by Jim Gordon, who is investigating Karen Jennings' death. Refusing to answer any questions, Strange analyzes Gordon's facial ticks and body movements. Both men have been lying to each other.

Edward (Corey Michael Smith) calms down a fight in Arkham. He starts an imaginary fight with "Lucy." Gordon meets with Edward, who promises to get out of Arkham. Overhearing Strange's conversation, Edward claims he can manipulate Gordon, like he does with the inmates. Strange gets the inspiration to cure Theo with the story of Azrael.

Trapped inside with Theo, Strange gets inside his head. Bullock (Donal Logue) and Gordon cannot take down with Strange without evidence. Bruce (David Mazouz) wants justice just like Gordon did with Theo. Jim tells Bruce that it was in cold blood and he needs to be better. They can only do this the right way.

Strange wants to send Theo into the wild. Edward follows the guards down into the basement. Announcing he is the angel of death, Theo is given the sword of sin to murder James Gordon. Barnes (Michael Chiklis) gives a press conference about the four recent deaths. After Bruce pleads with him, Barnes gives Gordon three minutes to speak his truth.

Edward is planning an escape into Strange's secret lab. Gordon and Barnes are arguing with each other when Azrael shows up in costume. After taking down Barnes, Azrael is about stab Gordon with his sword. Bullock and the other cops show up emptying their bullets at Azrael. Bruce watches in awe as Azrael runs away from the law.

Penguin watches the news when he sees footage of Azrael. Theo sees himself in the poster and gets his memories back. In order to protect him, Barnes has Gordon put in lockdown. As Strange demands more patients, Barnes teaches Jim a moral lesson. When the lights go out, Azrael crashes through the window. 

Azrael kills a bunch of Barnes' men before he grabs hold of Gordon. Barnes then empties his clip blasting away at Azrael's armor. During their rooftop fight, Barnes discovers its Theo underneath the mask. Gordon is too late to stop Azrael from stabbing Barnes.

After Gordon blasts him off the roof, Azrael hits the top of a parked car. The news cameras all have footage of Azarel unmarked and Theo alive. Now Theo's sister and Penguin know Theo is alive. 

Alfred (Sean Pertwee) and Bruce think Theo is alive because of Strange. Deep underground, Edward picks the lock, finds the secret passageway, and gets inside the secret elevator. Now that Edward has found the secret lab, Azrael watches over Gotham City ready to strike at Jim. 

Readers, what did you think of Azrael?