You Should Watch One Classic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it is a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific institution that becomes central here, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history throughout King's stories — a tradition which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn about the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early victims, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely destined for Shawshank.
Although it is known he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
