Make Time For One Classic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the show includes a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life in a infamous penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary that becomes central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover about the awful life at Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though it is known he did 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 those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him there, understanding what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she may be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
