You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series also features an explicit link to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, especially compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary which is central here, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary plus several of the inmates there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel an escape route of the prison, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and she just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
