Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the show also features a direct link to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of King's other writing, it is a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very institution which is central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover regarding the awful life at Shawshank State Prison plus several of those imprisoned there, including the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, in which a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is likely destined for the prison.
Although we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system has any say, she may be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
