You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to the author's extensive library of stories. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the show also features an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary which is important in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant history throughout King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover about the terrible conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, including the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to tunnel an escape route of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Though we know he was not commit the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things 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's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
