You Should Watch One Legendary Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear links to It, the show showcases a direct link to The Shining via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a notorious prison. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the awful life at Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates there, including the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the eyes of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the show, where a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to Shawshank.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
