You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Beyond the clear links to It, the show includes an explicit connection to The Shining through the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly in contrast with much of the author's additional writing, it is a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable history across King's stories — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the awful conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to dig his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn which character is likely headed to the prison.
Though it is known he was not commit the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the real killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to rely on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
