You Should Watch One Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the obvious links to It, the show includes a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, It: 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 may not be classified as a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary and several of the inmates there, such as the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the officials in power for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the series, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is likely headed to the prison.
Though we know he was not commit the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, child or adult, understands and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
