Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the obvious links to It, the series includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic tale from King which merits another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live his remaining years in a infamous prison. It is this specific penitentiary which is important in this context, as the Shawshank facility possesses significant history throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover about the awful life at the state penitentiary plus several of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and abused by other prisoners, and exploited by the authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he was not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, 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 without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
