Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the series showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story which merits another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly in contrast with a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary that becomes central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant history across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover about the terrible life inside the state penitentiary plus several of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is probably headed to the prison.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, 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 there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
