Make Time For This Legendary Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to the author's extensive library of stories. Beyond the clear links to It, the show also features an explicit link to The Shining through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it is a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. It is that very institution that becomes central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison possesses significant history throughout King's stories — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the awful life inside the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned within, such as the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go to Shawshank and the audience do not see him inside, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, however, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.