You Should Watch One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show showcases a direct connection to The Shining through the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it is a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes central in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's early victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison was via the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the authority figures for his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Though we know he did 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," reveals a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, however, this situation could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
