Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Film Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the show also features a direct connection to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping tale about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary which is central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses significant history throughout King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and several of those imprisoned within, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned of Shawshank's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though it is known he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and she just has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should Shawshank has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
