Stephen King has expressed high regard for the TV series IT: Welcome to Derry, a spin-off based on his iconic horror novel and directly connected to Andy Muschietti’s two-part film adaptation, IT and IT: Chapter Two. King highlighted the show’s frightening and surreal moments, mentioning a particular scene involving a pickle jar that left a strong impression on him.
A Disturbing Scene in the Supermarket Shakes Viewers
The episode that drew King’s attention focuses on Lilly as she shops in a supermarket where the atmosphere quickly grows unsettling. Earlier in the storyline, viewers learn that Lilly’s father died in a tragic accident at a pickle factory, falling into machinery while attempting to retrieve her ring. As Lilly experiences frightening auditory and visual hallucinations during this scene, she encounters a terrifying sight: the face of her father’s deceased body preserved in a pickle jar.
This horrifying vision intensifies as jars begin to fall from the shelves, and a monstrous figure forms from the remains of Lilly’s father, launching an attack against her. The scene’s chilling effects heighten the show’s atmospheric tension, even as Pennywise the Dancing Clown has yet to fully appear.
Pennywise’s Arrival and the Show’s Faithfulness to the Source Material
King reassured fans that when Pennywise finally appears, his presence remains as terrifying as ever, maintaining the character’s sinister legacy. The series serves as a prequel to the original IT story and uniquely includes crossover elements from The Shining, notably with the appearance of Dick Hallorann.
Jason Fuchs, the showrunner, emphasized the creative team’s dedication to honoring the original book. He described their approach as that of “amateur Derry historians,” aiming to incorporate canonical details that deepen the understanding of the town’s dark history. Fuchs explained their method during a roundtable discussion, comparing their process to that of Mike Hanlon, a character from the novel who investigates Derry’s mysterious past.
Ongoing Episodes and Viewing Information
IT: Welcome to Derry continues to air episodes weekly on HBO Max, captivating fans with its exploration of new horror elements tied to King’s universe. Viewers can follow the release schedule to stay current on episodes and explore additional Stephen King series and films available on the platform.
“I like Welcome to Derry a lot, there are plenty of horrors and lots of surreal visuals. There’s a supermarket scare that sticks in my mind, complete with pickle jars.” ?Stephen King, Author
“When Pennywise finally appears, he’s still scary as hell.” ?Stephen King, Author
“It was all about staying authentic to the book. We wanted to use as much of the canon as felt appropriate. We sort of put on our Mike Hanlon hat and approached this the way the character did. We became amateur Derry historians,”
“And so, just as Mike is sitting in the attic of the library, we’re sort of sitting in the writer’s room going, ‘OK, what pieces of these interludes in the book that suggest elements of Derry history shrouded in mystery can we start to dig into?'” ?Jason Fuchs, Showrunner
