You Should Watch One Iconic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's vast universe of narratives. Apart from the obvious links to It, the show showcases an explicit link to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very institution that becomes important here, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history throughout King's stories — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover about the terrible life inside the state penitentiary plus several of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Though we know he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry which no one, child or adult, understands and she just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
