The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the show includes an explicit link to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, especially compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific penitentiary that becomes central here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses significant lore across King's stories — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover about the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus several of the inmates within, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely destined for the prison.
Though we know he was not commit the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
Given that the real killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, however, this development could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
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