Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Apart from the clear ties to It, the series also features an explicit link to The Shining via the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. It is this specific institution which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses significant lore throughout King's stories — a tradition which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we learn about the terrible conditions at the state penitentiary and several of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is probably destined for the prison.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the real killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, but if the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.