You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear ties to It, the series showcases a direct connection to King's famous novel through the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved King story which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other writing, it is a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's that very penitentiary which is central in this context, as the Shawshank facility possesses significant history throughout King's stories — a pattern which persists 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 discover regarding the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, then experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the show, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and she only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
