Even after only three episodes, IT: Welcome to Derry is a compelling addition to the world of Stephen King, building on both the IT movies and his broader universe. The show, set 27 years before the 2017 IT film, mainly delves into Pennywise’s past in Derry, focusing on the people he haunted before the Losers Club. We’re already getting hints about where Pennywise came from and why he stayed in the town for so long. Beyond that, the show connects to other King stories, with nods to Shawshank Prison and the inclusion of the character Dick Hallorann.
Jack Torrance, famous for his part in The Shining and Doctor Sleep, actually makes a brief appearance in Stephen King’s IT. However, the series Welcome to Derry significantly expands his story. This new focus reveals Jack and his psychic ability, ‘the shining,’ are central to understanding Pennywise’s powers – and we get to see much more of the character than ever before. The series also introduces Jack’s grandmother, Rose, who shared his ability. Though mentioned in both The Shining and Doctor Sleep books and films, Rose never appeared on screen in the movies directed by Stanley Kubrick or Mike Flanagan, until now – she’s featured in Season 1, Episode 3 of IT: Welcome to Derry.
Dick Hallorann’s Grandmother In IT: Welcome to Derry Explained & Why It’s Important
Dick Hallorann and Rose the Overlook’s former cook shared a deep connection, hinted at in his previous appearances. In The Shining, he demonstrated their ability to communicate telepathically. Doctor Sleep reveals Rose was instrumental in helping Dick understand and develop his psychic powers. This connection continues in Welcome to Derry, where Dick explains his abilities to Mike Hanlon, describing them as “seeing things without seeing things,” a lesson learned from his grandmother.
Even more significantly, Dick has a vision related to his own appearance while using his psychic abilities from a helicopter to learn more about It. He’s taken into the creature’s lair and sees its glowing eyes. Then, a vision of his deceased grandmother appears, urging him to escape. Because of his strong shining ability, communication with spirits is possible, and their close relationship explains why she can reach him. It’s also possible she’s one of the spirits trapped within the Deadlights, where she appears, but the novel Welcome to Derry doesn’t confirm this. However, I believe the first explanation—that she’s a spirit guiding him—better suits Dick’s character arc.
Rose’s vision is significant because it reveals more about Dick’s powers and how they connect with Pennywise. It also helps develop Dick as a character, providing insight into his backstory before the events of The Shining and deepening our understanding of this complex figure from Stephen King’s work.
New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry release on Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and HBO Max.
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2025-11-11 22:41