Make Time For One Classic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode

HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to It, the series also features a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story that deserves a revisit.

The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption

Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important here, as the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within 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 stories, we learn about the awful conditions at the state penitentiary and some of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been convicted for robbery with a weapon.

So far, however, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.

The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably destined for the prison.

Though it is known he did not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Implications for Hank and His Daughter

Considering that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.

Crucially, though, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry which no one, child or adult, understands and she only has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck.

A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.

Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.