Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode

HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series showcases a direct connection to The Shining via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved King story which merits a revisit.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it remains a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution that becomes important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's stories — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn about the awful life inside the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.

Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.

The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry

Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably destined for Shawshank.

Though we know he did not commit the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter

Considering that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from pleasant.

Crucially, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be without help.

One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.

It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.