Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Film Before the Series' Next Episode

HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's extensive library of stories. Apart from the clear links to the original story, the show includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.

The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption

Although Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it remains a gripping tale of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to live the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary that becomes important in this context, as the Shawshank facility possesses significant history across King's stories — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.

Some of the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible life at the state penitentiary and some of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.

Thus far, though, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.

Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to the prison.

Though we know he was not commit the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Implications for Hank and His Daughter

Given that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.

More importantly, though, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.

One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.

It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.