You Should Watch One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the show showcases an explicit connection to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it is a gripping story about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important here, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable lore throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn about the awful conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned within, including the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison was via the eyes of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to Shawshank.
Though it is known he did not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers do not see him there, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
