Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious ties to It, the series includes a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, especially compared to a lot of King's other writing, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary that becomes important in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses significant history across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover about the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison plus several of the inmates there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison was via the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and abused by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he did not commit the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
