It is a grisly scene inside the lab where a resurrected Galavan is writing on the walls with blood. He keeps repeating lines from the book The Will and Order of St. Dumas. Dr. Strange knows Galavan’s history and seems very pleased with his work. Ms. Peabody doesn’t’ seem as confident.

Dr. Strange is visited by our favorite, Jim Gordon. He explains to Dr. Strange about Pinewood Farms and Karen Jennings. Dr. Strange tells Jim that Thomas Wayne was behind starting Pinewood Farms in order to cure humanities greatest genetic ailments. Jim is intensely interrogating Strange and Strange deflects and puts it back on Jim. We find out that Jim knows Dr. Strange is behind the rebirth of Pinewood Farms.

The battle between Dr. Strange and Jim has just begun.

Edward is keeping busy at Arkham Asylum. He is playing peacekeeper and manipulating the inmates. He has a brief exchange with his old friend, Jim. “See you never Ed!” Jim says on the way out. I wouldn’t be so sure Jim. Edward mentions to a passing Dr. Strange that he can help him get rid of Jim. He can manipulate people to his advantage. This claim inspires Dr. Strange. Dr. Strange knows how they can “cure” Galavan. They can tell him a story and manipulate him. Strange goes into the lab and confronts him. He is able to convince him that he is Galavan’s son and that his name is Azrael.

Galavan is no more. Azrael is born.

Bruce is staring at the picture of his father and Dr. Strange. He is frustrated that nothing has been done for justice. He suggests to Jim maybe they should take the same approach to Dr. Strange as they did Galavan. Jim promptly declines and says they need to do this the right way. He warns Bruce not to embrace the darkness.

Dr. Strange continues to plant the story inside Azrael’s head. He shows him pictures that continue to embed the story inside his head. He tells Peabody the only way to see if the story sticks is to release him into Gotham. Meanwhile, sneaky Edward has slipped out of his cell and is curious what is going on at the end of the long hallway.

‘Bad Ass’ Barnes aka Captain Barnes discovers four dead bodies. I’m guessing Azrael is involved. Jim, Bullock and Bruce arrive and Barnes wants nothing to do with Jim. He eventually gives in to a three minute conversation with Jim where Jim tells him about what Dr. Strange is up to at Pinewood Farms. I enjoyed the foreshadowing when Barnes makes the comment about Jim eventually one day running GCPD. Azrael appears from the darkness and attacks them. He is eventually forced to retreat by Bullock and other officers. I notice another interesting foreshadowing as Bruce stares up at Azrael…a way of Bruce looking into a version of his own destiny.

Gotham has a new vigilante

Edward is slowly taking control inside Arkham Asylum. He is convincing the inmates to steal items in an attempt to figure out a way to escape, but to really discover what is happening behind closed doors.

Barnes wants to know everything about Azrael. They don’t have much and Jim tells him obviously Dr. Strange is behind it. Bruce wants to help out but both Jim and Barnes tell him he needs to go home for his own safety. We see Azrael wondering through an alley when he sees a GALAVAN for MAYOR poster which triggers scrambled memories from his past life. This could be a potential problem Dr. Strange.

We visit Penguin who has lost his mind wondering alone inside the Van Dahl mansion. We see that Grace Van Dahl’s body is slowly rotting and he notices Azrael on the television.

GCPD vs. Azrael

Barnes is giving his pep talk to the squad about apprehending Azrael. Jim wants to help but Barnes locks him up on suspicion of breaking Karen Jennings out of GCPD. Barnes with the cheap shot. Jim pleads with Barnes to let him out, when the lights go out inside GCPD. It is obviously not a blackout when Azrael bursts through the window and is solely focused on killing Jim.

Azrael is playing games with Barnes and GCPD. He offers a chance for Barnes to give him Jim so more blood is not spilled. Barnes refuses and a shootout ensues. We slowly see Azrael dispose of several officers. Jim is released and is immediately attacked by Azrael. Barnes shoulder checks him down and then opens fire on him. He goes through at least two clips. Azrael slowly stands up, ready to continue his mission. Barnes tries to distract Azrael while Jim gets some firepower.

It looks like a Barnes vs. Azrael showdown. Azrael’s sword suddenly breaks and Barnes knocks off his mask. He is stunned to see Galavan’s face and the slight moment allows Galavan to quickly stab him in the chest. Jim comes outside and is equally as shocked. Jim opens fire on Azrael and shoots him off the roof. He falls onto a coroner van where the media immediately recognizes his face.

Jim goes to assist Barnes. It doesn’t look good for ‘Bad Ass’ Barnes. He is taken out on a stretcher while Jim tells Bullock that Azrael is Galavan.

The Home Stretch.

Gotham’s odd couple Tabitha and Butch are watching television with their new roommate…Barbara. Barbara is a bit unstable it seems. She scares Butch and I have to agree with him. She scares me. Tabitha is stunned to see on the news that Galavan is alive.

Penguin also watches the news and has a mixture of a happy and mortified reaction.

Bruce tells Alfred that Dr. Strange is behind Galavan/Azrael.

Edward continues his mission to figure out what is behind the closed doors. He successfully picks the lock and opens the door. He takes the elevator all the way to the bottom. Edward Nygma…welcome to Indian Hill.

Jim seems more focused than ever and we notice at the top of the Gotham bridge, we see Azrael starring directly at him…equally as focused.