Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the show also features an explicit link to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it remains a haunting story about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to live his remaining years in a infamous prison. And it's this specific penitentiary which is central here, since the Shawshank facility possesses significant history across King's stories — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we learn about the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably headed to the prison.
Though we know he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and she just has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
