You Should Watch One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's extensive library of stories. Apart from the obvious links to It, the series includes an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of the author's additional work, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to spend his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very institution that becomes important here, as the Shawshank facility possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison plus several of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned about the prison's involvement via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely destined for the prison.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this development would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
