Make Time For This Legendary Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear links to the original story, the show showcases a direct connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious prison. And it's this specific penitentiary which is important here, as the Shawshank facility possesses significant history throughout King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: 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 discover about the awful conditions inside the state penitentiary plus several of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the series, where a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably headed to Shawshank.
Although it is known he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and she just has her new group of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
