You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the series showcases a direct connection to The Shining through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King which merits another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in It: 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 discover regarding the awful conditions at the state penitentiary plus several of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the majority we have discovered about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in officials in power due to his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Though we know he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, child or adult, understands and she just has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
