Make Time For This Iconic Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show also features a direct link to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting story about an wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn about the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before crawling "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion via an early trailer for the show, in which a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.
Though it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
