Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to It, the series also features an explicit connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially compared to much of King's other work, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific institution which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover regarding the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been via the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences first learned about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably headed to the prison.
Though it is known he was not commit the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, comprehends and she just has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
