These days, it’s become incredibly difficult to separate the wheat (pop-culture gold) from the chaff (its divisive creator) because they’re eternally connected. Say what you will about his many hit-or-miss adaptations, Stephen King probably feels bulletproof, cranking out book after book, all the while living in the small-town bubble of Bangor, Maine. While Derry is obviously inspired by his real-life hometown, the details of his fictionalized location pale in comparison to the actual version. This was my main takeaway after being introduced to the new series, IT: Welcome to Derry.

Before watching the first two episodes of Season 1, my homework assignment was time-consuming, but worth it. First of all, I rewatched Pennywise: The Story of It (Which is a GREAT documentary, BTW!), fondly remembering the 1990 miniseries, which I originally devoured as it aired live on ABC, back in the day. Andy Muschietti’s opus was next, followed by my first viewing of It Chapter Two (FINALLY!). I’ve been ready to watch this series for a while now; I just had to take the proper preparation beforehand.

Getting down to it, “The Pilot,” brings shock and awe to traumatize a new generation of horror fans. In 1962, Cold War fears, lingering racial issues and the fear of change are background issues that are draped upon our storyline. No one seems to believe what’s really terrorizing this new group of kids, in a situation that begins innocently enough, before slowly descending into madness. When something goes awry, not one adult lifts a finger to help them, minding their own business, but all hell breaks loose after a mutant baby monster flies out of a movie-theater screen, killing a few of the kids.

The presumed homicides break into this extended period-piece monster movie, as the small-town vibes lead to nightmare creatures, hidden in the shadows from anyone unaware of the ruckus. From demonic, flying mutant babies to killer beds delivering terrors, much like Muschietti’s two previous feature films, Pennywise doesn’t have a ton of screentime in the first two episodes, as the background is laid for future seasons. But when he does, that clown always seems to make a killer entrance.

“No one who dies here ever really dies…”

Tag, Bill Skarsgård is It!
Photo Courtesy: Brooke Palmer/HBO.

Another plot introduced in this series is the military aspect, which is searching for a weapon that produces debilitating fear to everyone who is near, buried somewhere nearby, long ago. What, exactly is the Air Force looking for? That’s unclear, but the guiding force to help the good guys find it makes a Shining connection, as this is Dick Hallorann’s (played by Chris Chalk) “super-secret spy mission.”

But the most unexpected part of doing my “research” for this show was randomly finding the crew of Expedition X venturing out to the real-life Derry (aka Bangor, Maine), hearing disembodied voices near “the Barrens,” where reports of occult rituals and unholy evidence are found throughout. The untimely deaths of children haunt a local theater, as well as other local buildings and then there’s the labyrinthine underground tunnels that were once a staple of prostitution, murder and Prohibition-era related paraphernalia that are showcased, stealing the whole show.

I was shocked by how much I was digging the true stories behind Stephen King’s actual hometown — including a brief stop at the William Arnold House of 1856, where the author currently lives — more so than the fictionalized program that is based on the tiny town.

“This ain’t America. This is Derry.”

One aspect that I really dislike is this show’s official podcast. While the concept is relatively new for HBO to provide ancillary information and entertainment based on the network’s programming, this one is incredibly lacking. Unlike the Peacemaker podcast, this one is actually audio only, shown on TV over a looped animated sewer scene (with floating red balloon), making it difficult to actually “watch.” I’m really unsure why Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t pitch in a little more money for something more visual in hopes of increasing its audience.

Honestly, I believe the combo company is prepping to sell off all its properties, including its streaming portal, so it can’t be bothered by spending a little more money in the process.

My favorite characters in Derry are those that are being mistreated, mocked, bullied and not taken seriously. These outcasts may be losers, but they better not call themselves the original Losers Club, because that would feel just a little too on the head for this prequel storyline. And when one of the characters has all of the makings of a final girl, even though she could be mentally unstable, she’s unreliable as a main character, and that definitely makes her an underdog who receives my favoritism.

In a village full of useful idiots, who will you trust with your life, when it comes down to IT? A hate-filled writer or a group of disenfranchised kids? The truth is out there, somewhere… and it might just be in Maine!

“If normal is what you’re after, you are going to love Derry…”