You Should Watch This Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the series showcases a direct connection to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to spend his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very institution that becomes important here, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, including the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the majority we have discovered about the prison has been through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is probably headed to the prison.
Though it is known he did not responsible for the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him there, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and she just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she may be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.