Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the show also features an explicit link to The Shining through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it remains a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to spend his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful life inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates there, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we have discovered about the prison was through the eyes of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably destined for the prison.
Though we know he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the actual killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and killing kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
