You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the series includes an explicit link to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially compared to much of King's other writing, it remains a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. It is that very penitentiary which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn about the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion from 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 Shawshank.
Though we know he did 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. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and she just has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
