You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's vast universe of narratives. Beyond the clear ties to It, the series includes an explicit link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, especially compared to much of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to spend his remaining years in a infamous prison. It is that very penitentiary which is central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison has been via the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences first learned about the prison's involvement via an initial preview for the series, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably destined for Shawshank.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know 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 originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.
More importantly, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. 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 as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
