Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Beyond the clear ties to It, the series showcases a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very institution which is central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary plus several of the inmates within, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, then experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the series, in which a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is probably headed to the prison.
Though we know he did not commit 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 telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
