Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the show also features an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to much of King's other writing, it is a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is important in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful life inside the state penitentiary plus several of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before crawling "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 early trailer for the series, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and murdering 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 is known about that prison indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
