Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Apart from the clear links to It, the show includes a direct connection to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, particularly compared to much of the author's additional work, it remains a gripping story about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history across King's stories — a tradition which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we discover about the awful life at the state penitentiary and several of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned about the prison was via the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is likely headed to the prison.
Though we know he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and His Daughter
Given that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are happening around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to rely on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she may be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
