Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the series includes a direct link to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it is a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover about the terrible conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus some of those imprisoned within, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison has been through the eyes of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the real killer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, understanding what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she may be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
