You Should Watch One Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the series also features a direct link to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. It is this specific institution which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's stories — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we learn about the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself beaten and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the authority figures for his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the show, where a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.
Although we know he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
