Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show also features a direct link to The Shining through the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King which merits another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to much of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. It is this specific institution that becomes important in this context, as the Shawshank facility possesses significant history across King's stories — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we discover about the awful life at the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power for his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he was 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. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "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 an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him inside, understanding what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and she only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she may be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.