Make Time For One Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment

HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to Stephen King's vast universe of narratives. Apart from the clear links to It, the series also features an explicit link to The Shining through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story which merits another look.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional work, it remains a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life in a infamous penitentiary. It is that very institution that becomes central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.

Some of the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover about the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates within, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.

So far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison was via the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in authority figures for his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.

The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry

Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the show, in which a prison bus was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.

Though it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"

The Implications for the Character and Ronnie

Considering that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.

More importantly, however, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.

One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.

Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.