Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to the author's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series also features a direct link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly compared to much of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very penitentiary which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison plus some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer 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 destined for the prison.
Although we know he did not responsible for the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him inside, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie only 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 has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
