Make Time For One Classic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the series includes a direct link to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, particularly in contrast with a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very penitentiary which is central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, including the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, before making his way "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 initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably headed to the prison.
Although we know he was not responsible for 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. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
