Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Beyond the clear ties to It, the series also features an explicit link to The Shining via the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story progresses, It: 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 considered horror, especially compared to much of the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very institution that becomes important in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant history throughout King's stories — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of those imprisoned within, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and experiences beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is probably destined for the prison.
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 those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
