Make Time For This Iconic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to It, the series includes a direct link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious prison. It is this specific institution which is important here, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn about the terrible life inside the state penitentiary and some of the inmates there, including the partner of one of Pennywise's early victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, then experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences first learned of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is likely destined for the prison.
Although it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's prospects 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.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.