You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to It, the show includes an explicit link to The Shining via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious prison. It is this specific institution which is important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore throughout King's stories — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible conditions at the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, then experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
Although it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, but if the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
