Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Beyond the clear links to the original story, the show showcases an explicit link to The Shining through the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it is a haunting story about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious prison. It is that very penitentiary that becomes central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant history throughout King's stories — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we learn regarding the terrible conditions at the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison was via the eyes of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by the officials in power for his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this situation could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
