Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear links to It, the show showcases an explicit connection to The Shining through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King which merits another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific institution which is important here, as the Shawshank facility possesses significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the awful conditions at Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the eyes of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely destined for the prison.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, young or old, understands and she only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
