Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to It, the series showcases a direct connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it is a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific institution that becomes important in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible conditions at the state penitentiary plus several of those imprisoned there, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and abused by other prisoners, and exploited by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.
Though we know he did not responsible for the child deaths 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 the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.