Make Time For This Legendary Stephen King Film 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. Apart from the clear ties to It, the show includes an explicit link to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. It is that very penitentiary which is important here, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore throughout King's stories — a pattern which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the terrible life inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been through the eyes of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in officials in power for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely headed to the prison.
Though it is known he was not commit the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
