Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Film Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to It, the series also features a direct link to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live his remaining years in a infamous penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary which is central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's stories — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we learn about the terrible life inside Shawshank State Prison and several of those imprisoned there, including the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was via the eyes of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
