Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes central in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we learn regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary and several of the inmates within, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.
Though we know he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 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.