Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the series also features an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story which merits another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend the rest of his life in a infamous prison. It is that very penitentiary which is important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and several of those imprisoned within, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison has been via the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route of the prison, before crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual killer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, however, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
