IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 5 Ending Explained – Pennywise’s Attack & Dick Hallorann’s Box

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The fifth episode of Welcome to Derry is the most impactful so far, and its conclusion promises even more dramatic events. The IT prequel series has been steadily building the danger posed by It, the malevolent force that haunts the town of Derry. We’ve even learned about It’s beginnings, long before it became Pennywise – including its early conflicts with the Shokopiwah tribe and how it was originally contained in the area that would become Derry, Maine. However, things have now escalated significantly. Please be aware that the following contains spoilers for Episode 5.

After briefly showing the house on Neibolt Street in episode 4 of IT: Welcome to Derry, this episode focuses on two groups exploring the sewers. Dick Hallorann and Leroy Hanson guide a military team through the old well house, while Lilly, Marge, Will, Rich, and someone they think is Matty enter through a different tunnel. As fear builds, Pennywise the Dancing Clown appears, leading to the tragic death of Pauly Russo and a terrifying encounter.

Why Pennywise Finally Appeared In Welcome To Derry Episode 5

As a huge movie fan, I’ve noticed how IT: Welcome to Derry has been really careful with showing Pennywise. They haven’t just thrown him at us; instead, they’ve given us these quick, shadowy hints of the clown, and a few shots of those iconic red balloons. I think this approach is smart for a few reasons, and it’s definitely building the suspense nicely.

  • It allows the TV series to use more of the entity’s other forms, which rarely get as much attention as the clown.
  • It builds hype for Pennywise’s arrival, and makes it feel like a true, terrifying event for the TV show after weeks of anticipation.
  • Bill Skarsgård’s schedule may well have played a part in it as well, so this makes it easier for him to fit the show in.

Pennywise showing up in Episode 5 works on a couple of levels. It finally delivers on the anticipation viewers have been building for his appearance. Plus, it makes sense that he appears as a clown to frighten the kids – clowns are a very common childhood fear, and it’s an effective way to scare a whole group at once.

More than anything, this episode marks a major shift for the show. We learn the recent attacks have been less severe than the last two, but the appearance of the creepy clown signals that things are about to become much more terrifying – the stakes are now incredibly high, and there’s no room for games anymore.

Why Pennywise Stopped Attacking Lilly

Lilly was already in a tough spot, and now it looks like she’s about to become Pennywise’s next target. The clown charged towards her incredibly fast, showing all his teeth… but then he suddenly stopped, distracted by something in the water. This object is actually a piece of the cage that It originally arrived on Earth in – a detail some viewers might have forgotten.

The Shokopiwah tribe used broken pieces of stone as markers to create a barrier, trapping the creature and preventing it from leaving Derry. An elder of the tribe originally crafted a special dagger to fight it, and even now, it’s enough to keep Lilly safe. As long as she holds onto it, Pennywise can’t directly harm her. However, the dagger only protects a small area, so it can’t save everyone. While Pennywise might avoid confronting Lilly directly, he could still terrorize others to get to her.

What Dick Hallorann’s Box Is & What It Being Opened Means

In the series IT: Welcome to Derry, we previously met Dick Hallorann’s grandmother, Rose, who also possessed the psychic ability known as “the shine.” She taught Dick how to use it, and they could communicate through telepathy. This episode introduces Rose’s husband – Dick’s grandfather – and the idea of a mental safeguard Hallorann uses to protect himself.

Although not covered in this particular installment, Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep explains that Dick Hallorann suffered childhood sexual abuse at the hands of his grandfather, whom he called “Black Grandpa.” Even after his grandfather’s death, Dick was tormented by his spirit. Rose O’Hara helped him build a psychic box to ward off these harmful spirits – a technique she later passed on to Danny Torrance.

As the episode’s dramatic conclusion reveals, Dick’s protective barrier is now broken, following his disturbing vision. This implies he can no longer contain the evil force. It would take immense power and wickedness to breach his defenses, suggesting Pennywise infiltrated Dick’s mind, causing him to lose control of his abilities and suffer mentally.

The new trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry seems to confirm this, with Dick saying things like, “That thing was inside my head” and “You really messed with my mind,” all while looking deeply upset.

Dick’s own psychic powers might make him resistant to It’s control, but It appears to be influencing him nonetheless. This influence will likely lead to haunting experiences and negatively impact Dick’s health and behavior, potentially with serious repercussions.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry release on Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and HBO Max.

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2025-11-24 06:12