Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Movie Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the show includes an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to much of King's other writing, it is a gripping story about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. It is that very penitentiary which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates within, such as the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is probably destined for Shawshank.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
