Key Highlights
- The first episode of “It: Welcome to Derry” introduces a three-season plan focusing on the origins of Pennywise the Clown.
- The series explores the 1962 cycle in Derry, expanding on Stephen King’s novel and incorporating social themes relevant today.
- Key moments include a shocking opening sequence involving a demonic birth and children being attacked by monstrous incarnations.
- Creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti emphasize unpredictability and depth to the storytelling, diverging from previous “It” films.
The Three-Season Plan for “It: Welcome to Derry”
The first episode of “It: Welcome to Derry,” streaming on HBO Max, marks the beginning of a multi-season saga. Co-creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti reveal their ambitious three-season plan, which spans from 1962, 1935, and 1908, aligning with the crucial cycles of Pennywise the Clown.
“Our big story arc involves three seasons, mainly based on the three critical cycles of Pennywise,” Andy Muschietti explains. The first season, set in 1962, serves as a direct prequel to the 2017 film “It: Chapter One.”
Expanding on Social Themes and Lore
The series dives deeper into Stephen King’s rich lore, particularly focusing on Derry’s dark history of racism. Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) introduces a new layer of social complexity to the narrative, facing racist attacks in a predominantly white town.
Andy Muschietti highlights that “Stephen King is a writer who is very sensitive to social injustice.” The show aims to reflect current cultural and political shifts, making these issues more prominent than they were in the films. Barbara Muschietti adds, “A lot of us are in a state of alarm. There is more awareness and reception to all of these matters because the perils that we thought were gone are back.”
Unpredictable Storytelling and Graphic Content
The first episode, directed by Andy Muschietti, begins with a powerful cold open featuring a demonic birth. This shocking sequence sets an intense tone for what viewers can expect from the series. The episode concludes with another graphic twist, where a mutant baby kills half of the young characters introduced in the premiere.
“It was very clear to Andy and I that we had to start the show with something very strong,” Barbara Muschietti says. “Because that’s the way we had set the tone in the movies, both with the Georgie scene and the Adrian Mellon scene.
So we had to get to something very intense.”
The creators emphasize unpredictability, stating, “We needed the kids, because there’s no ‘It’ without kids, and we needed them to become friends and fight this monster together. But we needed to subvert the story somehow.” This approach ensures that viewers are kept on edge throughout the series.
Futuristic Outlook and Unveiling Mysteries
With seven more episodes airing Sundays on HBO, the creators hint at further twists and revelations yet to come. The mysterious origins of Derry and the role of turtles in the town’s mythology remain intriguing elements that will be explored over the course of the series.
“They’re a lot of Easter eggs,” Andy Muschietti laughs, “And over the course of these three seasons, we’re gonna probably get closer to the meaning of the turtle, how it affects the behavior of our characters and the mythological backstory.”
The future is uncertain for Derry, but one thing is clear: nobody is safe in this world. The first episode sets the stage for a thrilling journey through time, expanding on the lore established by Stephen King while bringing new layers to the narrative.
