Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the series also features a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic tale from King which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a gripping story about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. And it's that very penitentiary that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates there, such as the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
