You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Film Before the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to the author's extensive universe of narratives. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the series includes a direct connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, particularly in contrast with much of King's other writing, it remains a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious prison. And it's that very penitentiary that becomes important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison possesses significant history across King's stories — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful conditions inside the state penitentiary and several of the inmates within, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison was via the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, in which a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably destined for Shawshank.
Although it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
