Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Film Before the Series' Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's extensive library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to It, the show also features an explicit link to The Shining via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it is a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. And it's that very penitentiary that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison was through the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion from an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he did not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, however, this development could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and she just has her new group of friends to rely on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
