You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with references to the author's extensive library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show also features an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story which merits another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, especially in contrast with much of King's other writing, it is a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific institution which is central here, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's early victims, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself beaten and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the officials in power for his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an early trailer for the show, where a correctional transport was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he was not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, understanding what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.