Welcome to Derry episode 2, the prequel to Andy Muschietti’s It films, dives deeper into the horror following the cinema massacre, revealing how It continues to haunt survivors in the small town of Derry. Among its intense narrative, the episode is rich with Stephen King Easter eggs that fans of the author’s universe will recognize and appreciate.
Set 27 years before the Losers Club confronts Pennywise, this episode centers on characters like Lily (Clara Stack) and Ronnie (Amanda Christine) as they grapple with the trauma of recent events. Suspicion unjustly falls on Ronnie’s father for the murders. Meanwhile, Major Hanlon’s wife and son arrive, only to encounter the town’s harsh racial prejudice. New friendships form and terrifying encounters with It escalate as the story unfolds.
Opening Credits Reveal More Than Just Derry’s Charm
Unlike the first episode, episode 2 opens with a credits sequence accompanied by Patience and Prudence’s 1956 song A Smile and a Ribbon. Initially, this sequence projects an idyllic, bright image of Derry, but it slowly darkens, reflecting the town’s sinister underbelly. The sequence draws viewers into the eerie atmosphere, hinting at the town’s hidden horrors immediately.
One notable scene shows a little girl peering into a storm drain. This subtle moment foreshadows the fate of Georgie Denbrough, famously lured into the sewers by Pennywise in King’s novel and the subsequent movies, marking it as one of the key Stephen King Easter eggs in the episode.
Neibolt Street House and Its Haunting Presence
The credits also briefly show a family posing for a photograph in front of the distinctive Neibolt Street house, with the son glancing over his shoulder. This residence has significance in the It mythos—the Losers Club entered the sewer system through this house to reach Pennywise’s lair. Its inclusion reinforces the continuity within King’s universe.
The Bradley Gang’s Deadly Encounter and Pennywise’s Shadow
Another historical highlight featured in the opening is the depiction of the Bradley Gang’s violent end. This band of criminals terrorized Derry’s merchants before being shot by the townsfolk. Making the moment even more chilling, Pennywise is briefly seen hanging from a nearby building’s window, aiming at the gang, suggesting his influence behind the town’s violent acts.
The Kitchener Ironworks Explosion Haunts Derry’s Past
One of Derry’s darkest tragedies, the explosion at Kitchener Ironworks in 1908, is referenced early on. During an Easter egg hunt, the ironworks blast killed 102 people, including 88 children—a calamity that continues to linger in Derry’s lore. This disaster is noted in King’s novel, where a young Ben Hanscom is deeply affected upon learning about it at the library.
The explosion is visually represented in the credits by a burning giant rabbit surrounded by fleeing adults and children, symbolizing the destruction and horror of that event and its connection to the malevolent force that preys on Derry’s inhabitants.
Dick Hallorann’s Psychic Abilities Highlighted
A key figure from the Stephen King universe, Dick Hallorann, from The Shining, appears as a soldier stationed alongside Leroy Hanlon in this series. Episode 2 reveals Hallorann’s possession of the shine—a supernatural power involving telepathy and foresight—which is well-known within the military and coveted by secret projects.
The army’s use of Hallorann’s abilities to locate It’s lair showcases a dark initiative to weaponize the entity, connecting Hallorann’s unique power to the wider struggle against evil forces in Derry’s shadowy history.
Introducing a Young Norbert Keene on Derry’s Streets
Charlotte Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) crosses paths with a young man smoking outside a pharmacy, who acknowledges her with a nod and a smile. This man is Norbert Keene, the pharmacist featured in the Muschietti movies. In those films, Keene had an unsettling demeanor and was involved in providing Eddie Kaspbrak with his medication, while also serving as a distraction for the Losers during a critical moment.
This glimpse introduces Keene into the prequel’s timeline, enriching the lore around his character and setting the stage for his later sinister role.
The Symbolism of the Paul Bunyan Statue Amid Protesters
Paul Bunyan, a recurring symbol of Derry since the series’ start, appears again in episode 2 as a statue under construction. Charlotte observes the statue while walking through the town, noting the presence of protesters opposing its erection. Despite their objections, the statue’s dominance over the landscape is inevitable, signaling its lasting representation of Derry’s identity.
In King’s novel and the It: Chapter Two timeline, this statue takes on a menacing role when It animates it to intimidate Richie Tozier. As an adult, Richie even sees Pennywise perched atop the Paul Bunyan statue, further tying the landmark to the town’s haunting.
Stan Kersh: A Familiar Surname with Uncertain Ties
Charlotte visits the town’s butcher, Stan Kersh, who offers a warm welcome despite the unsettling atmosphere. Though the name might seem ordinary, it connects to Mrs. Kersh, an elderly woman from Bev Marsh’s past who, in It: Chapter Two, is revealed as one of It’s terrifying manifestations.
It remains unclear whether Stan and Mrs. Kersh share any familial relationship or if the name serves solely as an homage to King’s storylines, but the connection acts as a subtle nod to fans familiar with the broader It mythology.
Pennywise’s Disturbing Yellow Eyes Appear Again
One of It’s most horrifying transformations in this episode takes the form of Ronnie’s deceased mother. Having died in childbirth, Ronnie’s mother becomes a grotesque representation of maternal pain at the hands of It. When Ronnie is drawn into this terrifying vision—her mother’s womb transformed into a monstrous mouth—the fear is intensified by the revealing of glowing yellow eyes resembling Pennywise’s well-known gaze from the films.
Secondhand Rose: A Familiar Store with Hidden Meaning
Upon arriving in Derry, Will discovers a telescope in his new room, sourced by Leroy from a nearby secondhand shop aptly named Secondhand Rose. Later, Charlotte steps inside this store, glimpsing its eclectic contents. This shop recurs throughout King’s works, including It: Chapter Two, where adult Bill Denbrough finds his old bike there.
In the films, the store’s owner was portrayed by Stephen King himself, while in Welcome to Derry the proprietor is a woman. Notably, a young man in the shop resembles the younger version of King’s cameo character, creating yet another link between this prequel and the expansive Stephen King universe.
Episode 2 Deepens the Mythos and Sets Up Future Struggles
This installment of Welcome to Derry not only propels the story forward but enriches the narrative by threading together numerous Stephen King Easter Eggs tied to It and other works. From historical tragedies like the Kitchener Ironworks explosion to characters like Dick Hallorann and Norbert Keene, the episode embeds layers of meaning that deepen the lore and hint at the dark forces manipulating events in Derry.
As the surviving children face growing threats and the military’s shadowy interest in It unfolds, these connections reinforce the sprawling nature of King’s universe, promising more chilling revelations and darker encounters in episodes to come.
