Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Apart from the obvious ties to It, the show also features a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic 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 compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. And it's that very penitentiary which is central here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is probably destined for the prison.
Although we know he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, however, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and she only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
