Make Time For One Classic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Beyond the clear ties to It, the show also features a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, particularly in contrast with much of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live his remaining years in a infamous prison. It is that very institution that becomes central in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover about the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary and some of the inmates there, such as the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was via the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, then experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, before crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably destined for Shawshank.
Although it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he does go in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
