Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear links to It, the show showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, particularly in contrast with much of King's other writing, it is a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live his remaining years in a infamous prison. And it's that very institution that becomes important in this context, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we discover regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we've learned about the prison was through the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by the authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, before crawling "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and murdering kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would not be pleasant.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
