Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to the author's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to It, the show includes an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic tale from King that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to much of the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary that becomes central here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses 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. Through these stories, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, while exploited by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably headed to Shawshank.
Although 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 those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him there, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
