You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to It, the show showcases an explicit link to The Shining via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic tale from King which merits another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned man condemned to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we learn regarding the awful life at the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion from an early trailer for the series, in which a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he was not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from pleasant.
More importantly, though, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
