You Should Watch One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Apart from the clear links to It, the show also features a direct link to The Shining through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic tale from King that deserves another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other writing, it remains a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore across King's stories — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn about the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary and several of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the eyes of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely destined for the prison.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and she only has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
