Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Beyond the clear links to the original story, the series also features an explicit link to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially compared to much of King's other writing, it is a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important here, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover about the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of the inmates there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and abused by other prisoners, while exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, 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 involvement via an initial preview for the series, in which a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.
Although we know he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and she just has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
