Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Movie Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging library of stories. Apart from the clear ties to It, the series includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a gripping story about an wrongfully convicted man sentenced to spend his remaining years in a infamous prison. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes central here, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant history across King's stories — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates there, including the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the eyes of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and 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 making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although we know he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
