Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the series also features an explicit connection to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it remains a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes central here, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the awful conditions inside the state penitentiary and several of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is likely headed to the prison.
Although we know he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the real murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, though, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.