Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the obvious ties to It, the show showcases an explicit connection to The Shining through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, especially compared to much of King's other writing, it remains a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific institution which is central here, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned within, such as the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, then finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an early trailer for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is probably destined for Shawshank.
Although it is known he was not commit the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
