Make Time For This Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show showcases a direct link to King's famous novel via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly in contrast with much of King's other work, it remains a gripping story about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very penitentiary which is central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant history across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the awful conditions 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 found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was via the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig his way out of the prison, before crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement from an early trailer 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 likely destined for the prison.
Although it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this development could threaten his daughter. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should Shawshank plays a role, she could be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.
