Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to the author's extensive library of stories. Apart from the obvious links to It, the show also features a direct connection to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially in contrast with much of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution which is important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible life inside Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the partner of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably destined for the prison.
Although we know he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (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 the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
