Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Cinematic Before the Series' Next Episode

The series Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's vast universe of narratives. Apart from the clear ties to the original story, the show includes an explicit connection to The Shining via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story that deserves a revisit.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

Although Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it remains a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned man condemned to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's that very penitentiary which is central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore throughout King's stories — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.

Some of the tales which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover about the terrible life inside Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.

So far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.

Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry

In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is probably headed to Shawshank.

Though it is known he was not commit the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable.

More importantly, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.

A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom.

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