You Should Watch This Classic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Next Episode
The series Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the show includes a direct connection to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other writing, it remains a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is important here, since the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's fictional world — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we learn about the awful conditions inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates within, including the partner of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and exploited by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
Although it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, understands and she only has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.