Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Apart from the obvious links to It, the show showcases a direct connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with a lot of the author's additional work, it is a haunting story about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's that very institution which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover about the awful conditions at Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates there, such as the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and abused by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the show, in which a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though it is known he did not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the real killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
