Make Time For This Iconic Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to It, the show showcases a direct link to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with a lot of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution that becomes central here, since the Shawshank facility possesses significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned within, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an early trailer for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and she only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
