You Should Watch One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Next Episode
HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to It, the series showcases an explicit link to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution that becomes important here, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history throughout King's stories — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn about the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of those imprisoned within, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's early victims, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned about the prison was through the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, then experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely destined for the prison.
Though it is known he did not commit the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
