Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Beyond the clear links to It, the show showcases a direct connection to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it remains a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. It is that very institution which is central here, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we learn about the awful conditions at the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, before crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the series, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, 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 regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she may be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
