The latest episode of Welcome to Derry has included an Underrated Stephen King novel reference, connecting the new Max prequel series to King’s broader literary universe. Set in 1962, the show explores the dark origins of the evil entity known as It, with a dual focus on a group of local kids and a military effort led by figures such as Leroy Hanlon and Dick Hallorann, to capture and weaponize this ancient creature.
As Welcome to Derry expands the timeline seen in Andy Muschietti’s It films, it also highlights lesser-known elements from King’s work. Among these is the deeper exploration of Dick Hallorann—originally a secondary character in the novel It—whose personal history and supernatural abilities now take center stage. With the military subplot involving characters like General Shaw and Dick Hallorann, the story intertwines the experiences of children and adults as they confront the terrors lurking beneath Derry’s streets.
Hallorann’s Mental Lockbox: A Nod to Doctor Sleep
Episode five shines a light on one of King’s more underrated novels by referencing the unique mental defenses from Doctor Sleep. In the episode, General Shaw leads a team—including Hallorann—into the notorious house on Neibolt Street and onward into the sewers to hunt for It’s lair. During this dangerous mission, Dick Hallorann is pulled underwater by It, and the ordeal leaves him psychologically vulnerable, opening his mind to haunting visions.
While trapped in these hallucinations, Hallorann finds himself in a bathroom, encountering his grandmother. Her spiritual abilities, known as the shine, had already been established earlier in the series, and she was the mentor who taught Hallorann everything he knows about his psychic gift. The mental vision quickly intensifies when Hallorann’s grandfather appears, bringing with him a mysterious box and threatening harm unless Hallorann opens it. When he refuses, his grandfather opens the box anyway, releasing an intense orange light. This concept mirrors a central theme from Doctor Sleep, in which Hallorann instructs Danny Torrance to imagine mental lockboxes as a way to imprison the ghosts from the Overlook Hotel that still torment him.
This hallucinated box in Hallorann’s mind, therefore, acts as a container for the ghosts and traumas he’s carried for years. Doctor Sleep’s introduction of the lockbox idea is an Underrated Stephen King novel reference that provides context for Hallorann’s character arc in the series, highlighting the burdens that accompany his powerful abilities. The show’s use of this device strengthens the thematic links between King’s works and provides depth to Hallorann’s journey in Welcome to Derry.
The Consequences of Opening Hallorann’s Mind
The episode suggests that unlocking Hallorann’s mental defenses will have escalating repercussions throughout the rest of the season. By the end of episode five, Hallorann escapes the sewers only to witness the unsettling vision of Pauly Russo walking through the woods despite his death. This development marks the onset of darker, more disturbing manifestations of Hallorann’s shine, hinting at even more nightmarish experiences to come.
Being in Derry during the creature’s awakening amplifies the psychological and supernatural danger facing Hallorann. The series hints that General Shaw and the military may attempt to exploit Hallorann’s visions for their own purposes. As Hallorann faces the challenge of containing—or perhaps succumbing to—the unleashed ghosts from his mental lockbox, questions remain about whether he will find a way to control his abilities and what the personal and broader consequences will be.
Connections to Characters and Performers in Welcome to Derry
Welcome to Derry features a talented ensemble cast that includes Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon and Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon. Chris Chalk plays Dick Hallorann, whose development in the story draws directly from the Underrated Stephen King novel reference in Doctor Sleep. Rudy Mancuso appears as Pauly Russo, while James Remar portrays General Shaw, the military leader overseeing the mission. Each character’s journey is deeply intertwined with the unfolding mysteries within Derry and the larger legacy of Stephen King’s interconnected tales.
This episode’s creative use of King’s lesser-known works not only strengthens Welcome to Derry’s ties to the author’s broader universe but also deepens viewers’ understanding of characters like Dick Hallorann. As the story progresses, the series is poised to explore how the past traumas—both personal and supernatural—will shape the battle against It and the fates of those who dare confront the darkness beneath Derry’s surface.
