Make Time For One Classic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show showcases a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with much of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live his remaining years inside a notorious prison. It is that very institution which is central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison possesses significant history across King's stories — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we discover about the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates there, such as the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself beaten and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he did not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and she only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
