Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the show showcases a direct connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to much of the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to live the rest of his life inside a notorious prison. It is that very penitentiary which is central here, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history across King's stories — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn about the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the series, in which a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is probably destined for Shawshank.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the actual killer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
