You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the obvious links to It, the series also features an explicit link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly in contrast with much of King's other work, it remains a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary which is important here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover about the terrible life inside Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is probably destined for the prison.
Although it is known he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, understanding what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and she only has her new group of friends to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.