You Should Watch One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's vast universe of narratives. Apart from the clear links to It, the series showcases a direct connection to The Shining through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with much of King's other writing, it is a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very institution that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover about the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and several of those imprisoned within, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences first learned about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he was not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character 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," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
