Make Time For This Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to It, the series includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it remains a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution which is central here, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable history across King's stories — a tradition which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison was via the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the authority figures due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the series, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is probably destined for the prison.
Although it is known he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power from another world hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, however, this development could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
