Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to the author's vast library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the series includes an explicit connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story which merits another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, especially in contrast with a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very institution which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's stories — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover about the awful conditions at the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned within, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and abused by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably destined for Shawshank.
Though it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
