Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Movie Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show includes a direct connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, especially compared to a lot of King's other writing, it is a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution that becomes central here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the actual killer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers do not see him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie just 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 three decades to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
