"Azrael" is the nineteenth episode of the second season, and 41st episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by co-producer Jim Barnes and co-executive producer Ken Woodruff and directed by Larysa Kondracki. It was first broadcast on May 2, 2016. In the episode, Theo Galavan is finally resurrected and begins a killing spree across Gotham City, calling himself "Azrael" while Gordon and Bruce try to arrest Dr. Hugo Strange for his involvement in the resurrection and his inhuman experiments.
The episode received critical acclaim, with Azrael's introduction receiving the most recognition. The episode received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series and Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series.
Plot
Having been resurrected by Hugo Strange (B. D. Wong), Theo Galavan (James Frain) is suffering from almost complete memory loss and reciting the sacred book of the Order of Saint Dumas. Meanwhile, Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) visits Strange to ask him about Karen Jennings' death and the Pinewood Farms program. Strange states that Thomas Wayne started it to heal every disease and denies his involvement. Gordon then shows Strange a warrant to see Victor Fries' corpse but Strange states they cremated him. Strange realizes Gordon made a false warrant so he would admit his lies.
While leaving Arkham Asylum, Gordon runs across Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) in the playroom. Later, Nygma overhears Strange and Peabody (Tonya Pinkins) complaining about Gordon's interference. Nygma suggests that he help them to kill Gordon but Strange refuses. But Nygma's attempt to prove his worth inspires Strange to provide Galavan with a story to give his fractured state of mind a sense of self. Using Saint Dumas scripture while claiming to be Adam Dumas, Strange convinces Galavan that he is the order's ancient warrior Azrael and directs him to kill Gordon.
Bruce (David Mazouz) is told by Gordon and Bullock (Donal Logue) that the evidence won't be enough to imprison Strange. Angered by this, Bruce reveals that he knows Gordon is responsible for killing Galavan, pushing his belief that the law is ineffective at bringing him true justice. While talking with Captain Barnes (Michael Chiklis), Gordon and Barnes are attacked by Azrael, who is forced to flee when the police arrive. While walking through an alley, Azrael sees a poster of Galavan's campaign which causes some of his memories to return before shrugging it off.
Barnes imprisons Gordon in a cell for aiding Karen Jennings' escape. Suddenly, the lights go off and Azrael shows up. He kills three officers and tries to kill Gordon. However, Gordon and Barnes escape to the balcony where Barnes fights with a pipe against Azrael and manages to break his sword and pull off his mask, realizing his identity. Azrael then stabs Barnes when Gordon appears. Azrael tries to flee but Gordon shoots him multiple times until he falls off the building, landing on a TV van. The news broadcasts that Galavan is alive and is Azrael, which Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) witnesses from Dahl Manor. Likewise, Butch (Drew Powell), Tabitha (Jessica Lucas) and Barbara (Erin Richards) watch the report from their mansion, to their shock.
Barnes is transferred to the hospital. Nygma discovers a secret elevator in the hallway of Arkham Asylum, which directs him to Indian Hill labs, to his surprise. Gordon leaves the GCPD while from a distance, Azrael stands atop a bridge watching him.
Production
Development
In April 2016, it was announced that the nineteenth episode of the season would be titled "Azrael", and was to be written by Jim Barnes and Ken Woodruff, with Larysa Kondracki directing.
Casting
Morena Baccarin, Camren Bicondova, Chris Chalk, and Nicholas D'Agosto don't appear in the episode as their respective characters. In April 2016, it was announced that the guest cast for the episode would include B. D. Wong as Professor Hugo Strange, Tonya Pinkins as Ethel Peabody and Stink Fisher as Aaron Helzinger.
Reception
Viewers
The episode was watched by 3.59 million viewers with a 1.2/4 share among adults aged 18 to 49, reaching another series low. This was a decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 3.72 million viewers. With this ratings, Gotham ranked first for FOX, beating Houdini & Doyle, fourth on its timeslot and ninth for the night on the 18-49 demographics, behind Blindspot, The Odd Couple, two episodes of Mike & Molly, NCIS: Los Angeles, a rerun of The Big Bang Theory, Dancing with the Stars and The Voice.