Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the series includes a direct link to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. It is this specific institution which is important in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's stories — a tradition which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus some of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison has been through the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy winds up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Though we know he did 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. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.
More importantly, however, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and she just has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
