You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to It, the series includes an explicit link to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved tale from King which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. And it's this specific institution which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the majority we have discovered about the prison was via the eyes of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his experience would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
