You Should Watch This Legendary Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to the author's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the clear ties to It, the show also features an explicit link to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it is a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a notorious prison. It is this specific institution that becomes central here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the series, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is likely headed to the prison.
Though we know he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (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 Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his experience would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and she just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
