Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode

HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's vast universe of narratives. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King which merits another look.

The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption

Although Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, particularly compared to much of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific institution that becomes important here, since the Shawshank facility holds significant history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.

Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and several of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

Thus far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.

Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely headed to Shawshank.

Though we know he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.

Crucially, however, this development would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, understands and she just has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.

One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig to freedom.

It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.