Make Time For This Legendary Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode

HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's vast library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to It, the show includes an explicit link to The Shining through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story which merits a revisit.

The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption

While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. It is that very penitentiary which is central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry.

Some of the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we learn about the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by the authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.

The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the series, where a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably destined for the prison.

Although it is known he was not commit the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie

Given that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from pleasant.

Crucially, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, understands and she only has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she could be out of luck.

A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.

Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.