Make Time For This Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the series includes a direct connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it is a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, while exploited by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although we know he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this development could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
