🔗 Share this article You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode The series Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's vast collection of tales. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show also features a direct link to The Shining through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story which merits another look. The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it remains a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important in this context, as Shawshank State Prison possesses significant history throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues in Welcome to Derry. Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn about the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary and several of the inmates within, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery. Thus far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty. The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely destined for the prison. Though we know he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?" The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie Given that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable. More importantly, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and she just has her new group of friends to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system plays a role, she may be out of luck. A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out. Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.