Make Time For This Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear links to It, the series also features an explicit link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, especially compared to much of King's other work, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live his remaining years in a infamous prison. It is that very institution which is central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes 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, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences first learned of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably headed to the prison.
Although we know he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are happening around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
