Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the series includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved tale from King which merits another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other writing, it remains a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to spend the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific institution which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history throughout King's stories — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful life at the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself beaten and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely destined for the prison.
Although we know he was not commit the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.
More importantly, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.
