Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's vast collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to It, the show showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story which merits another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially compared to a lot of King's other writing, it remains a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live the rest of his life inside a notorious prison. And it's that very penitentiary which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history throughout King's stories — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful conditions at Shawshank State Prison plus some of those imprisoned within, including the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. 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. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement from an initial preview for the series, 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.
Though it is known he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him inside, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and she only has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
