It: Welcome to Derry 1x05 Full Reaction!
Added 2025-11-24 21:29:28 +0000 UTC
Comments
I forget to mention anything about the Hank plot, where I always had my doubts we'd actually get to Shawshank just for the logistics of making a whole prison set that'll be used for less than half the season on top of everything else they had to do. But if anyone's really feeling anxious to see more of it, there's the Hulu show Castle Rock, where you even get to see Tim Robbins go back to it. The rest is just confirming what I'd guessed, though it was a big surprise that Ingrid is married to the butcher. No King story is complete without an abusive drunk. Bill fit in better than you'd think among all the action stars as the main villain of John Wick 4, with it helping a lot that he's a very ivory tower guy who doesn't get his own hands dirty. And there's his outright bizarre double bill of classic horror remakes in 2024, with The Crow being terrible and Nosferatu being awesome. Which led to a pretty fun moment in this year's Dead Meat Royal Rumble where his Orlok knocked out the original Eric Draven. On that note, I'm unduly amused that we now have new versions of Nosferatu and Frankenstein that both have Ralph Ineson as a doctor. Reminiscent of how Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan migrated between a bunch of those.
Ryan
2025-11-25 03:00:20 +0000 UTCWould have been interesting to see the immediate follow up of the Lilly and Margie scene, though what we get is good. Nice that the business with the pattycakes is determined to not be fetch, nor was it ever fetch. Good point, now you mention about Shaw being back in Derry. Sort of just assumed that was his assignment and the Pennywise influence worked it’s magic. Now we have the more concrete answer, and it makes him much more unsympathetic. Yeah, I had that on the brain of him selling the whole Pennywise business to his superiors would make him sound like he wants to use Pennywise to stop all the studies to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk... ice cream. (And more than fair point on the timeline when they already fudged the timeline with The Music Man, which, amusingly enough, is on tv right now.) I know that you were on the idea of Phil living still. The idea was always doubtful to me, though I conceded that there was just enough evidence to make the idea, however unlikely, plausible. Mainly that this is Pennywise we’re talking about really made me skeptical whilst not fully discounting the idea. See you, me, and Jess all caught the red balloons that were raised when Pennywise appeared as Matty. I DID note the thing about not hunting during the day, where you could bullshit with the difference of hunting versus feeding, and even then, it didn’t wash. Sort of forgot about the idea of Georgie still being alive in the newer films, though yeah, Pennywise recycled the scheme. Again, there was the plotline with Audra, (even if they didn’t have it in the newer It,) so there is just enough for those less informed, and more than enough for those who are informed to call bullshit. Good note on the the real newbie experience here. Same for me in that I’d seen the miniseries and read the book before the newer adaptations. I admit to perhaps being a bit mean when they did reveal that Phil was dead, as I just sounded like R. Lee Ermey, saying, “Well, no shit.” The complaints that the second half of this episode goes on too long with just one repetitive scare after another, this after the loud complaints about no Pennywise in the clown form prior to now, there’s no pleasing some people. Yeah, the visual of Pennywise coming out to play was a marvel. “Duck and cover” was well delivered, on top of mocking his nemesis with the turtle of it all. Again, I had the dream of Tim Curry coming back; that was before learning about his stroke. Heard Stellan Skarsgård was considered, and he would have been amazing. As it is, Bill was a good pick. Still not seen him in too much, so it helps him disappear into this. Bit jarring that he’s about my age, and that’s standing out more here than it did in the newer movies. Nice compliment likening his return here to Ella going back to Jinx. The Orlok would work well, inevitable though it will be to hear the numerous comments making the one SpongeBob reference with that. The box was a jolt. (I assume that Carl was too busy hearing about Verna from Roderick. That casting would have been great.) Yes, it’s great to see Stephen King get to experience the generational appeal. The box works well enough even if one isn’t familiar with the Doctor Sleep of it all. Like I said, my brother was a good while into that film before he realized what it was a sequel to. In his defense, he sort of forgot some of the character names. We still have a laugh about it. Shared assessment on how Hanlon almost shooting Will was adequately set up. Still love how Russo has the realization that if the kids were the hallucination, than he shouldn’t have been able to see them, and deduced what was up. Fair that his death had the Wade and/or Sasha 55 feel for you. Just knew that Jess wasn’t going to like it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had more scenes that got cut. But hey, maybe we could see if HBO will release the deleted scenes on youtube like how Doctor Who did with this last season, and how they’re swearing up and down that they uploaded all the deleted scenes, and that there are ABSOLUTELY NO Susan scenes, NONE WHATSOEVER, because we have NO reason to think otherwise. Russo pops up in the end, so see how that plays out. Nice to see you’re sold for the last three episodes. Here’s hoping things hold at the quality that we’ve got.
Thomas Corp
2025-11-25 00:03:57 +0000 UTCI'm a bit disappointed we don't get to see the immediate follow-up to everyone finding Lily and Margie, because it was probably a huge mess that would have been very fun to watch. "I put it on ice, maybe we can reattach it." 'Eyes don't work like that, you're thinking of fingers and dicks." And a big relief that the whole mean girl story seems to be over after it was never going anywhere interesting. This is much more the jam of literally everyone I've seen post their thoughts. Shaw's story never made much sense, because why would he come back to Derry in the first place if he didn't remember anything? So it was a big relief to get that cleared up, though I'm also having some maybe inappropriate amusement at how nuts he's probably been sounding to everyone else he tries to convince about this project for the last five years. After a couple minutes they probably just start smiling and backing away, hoping they can get out the door before he starts going on about his precious bodily fluids (I realize this is two years before anyone will be thinking that, but this is apparently a world where The Music Man was released six months early so I say it's fair game). Okay, enough stalling, I'll admit it: they got me. The show has clearly been playing the long game deliberately against people like me who look for the smallest clues to what twists could be coming, and it worked. At least until we got to within this very episode, where it really should have been Phil rather than Mattie to completely get me smug like a fattened Christmas goose not seeing the chop coming. As it is, my suspicions were immediately raised given that Mattie had enough of an onscreen death that this didn't seem possible, and then he says that clearly false stuff like Pennywise only hunting at night and there was no question. And what really hurts is it's the exact same twist the first movie did with Georgie, which I never really bought because I knew the book and figured that would be too massive a change, so now I got to have the real newbie experience. I've seen some complaints that the episode's second half goes on too long with just one repetitive scare after another, but if you go into a story based on this particular book and this isn't exactly what you're expecting, I kind of don't know what to tell you. Most of all, I'm very impressed at how effective Pennywise's introduction is despite clearly being intended for us to not actually know for sure it was coming. The morphing effect is amazing to watch and yes, I have gone back to it several times trying to pin down exactly what's going on in each shot, but he's moving fast enough that I just can't get it. And after thinking for a while that they really needed to nail his first line to the kids, "Duck and cover" absolutely does it, especially since it's been a bit weird how little the show has leaned into the fact that it's set at a time where people expected there might be nuclear armageddon at any moment. Back when the first movie came out I was so happy for Bill Skarsgard, that after spending his whole life watching his father and then his brothers having these great careers and then slowly working his way in, he finally got his own iconic role that could stand up with any of theirs, and seeing him come back to it now is very much the same vibe as Ella Purnell going back to Jinx after how much her career had grown since the first season. A cameo by Count Orlok wouldn't be out of place at all, I'll just say that. Big Rick Dalton moment when Halloran's grandfather pulled out the box so he can come play with us forever and ever (though they did miss a trick by not casting Carl Lumbly here). And I feel so great for Stephen King living long enough to have these multiple generations of fans who all have their own versions of so many of his stories, and will clap like trained seals whenever they get combined like this. And apparently it's still done well enough that you get the idea even if you have no knowledge of Doctor Sleep, as evidenced by some reactions I've seen. I've also seen complaints that Leroy almost shooting his son was way too coincidental, but it seemed pretty clear to me that Pennywise was deliberately engineering the whole thing, so that worked great. What didn't work so much was the death of Pauly, where I'm left feeling very similar to losing the universally loved hero of the Rebel Alliance, Wade. I seriously wonder if there were a bunch of scenes with him that got cut, because I barely remembered he even existed, and he certainly hadn't earned such an emotional death scene. But his still being around in Halloran's head at least looks like it'll go somewhere worthwhile. I was pretty shaky on the show through its entire first half, but this episode completely got me on board, fully aware of the kind of story it is and just reveling in that. If it can keep that tone for the remaining three episodes, I'll be very happy.
Ryan
2025-11-24 23:22:16 +0000 UTCAnother great reaction to this week’s Derry episode. (Or was it this week’s edition of Lilly can’t catch a break?) Shock of the ages that your optimistic appraisal of this week’s events did not payoff, sweet though said optimistic appraisal was, Jess, I loved it. Even with knowing about the four guaranteed survivors, you knew everything would go to shit. Poor Taniel and Hallorann. Shaw is unbothered. Shaw is starting to become one of the most hated characters in this. You say that he’s a bit off his rocker, and yeah, his cheese is starting to slide off his cracker. See that we both had strong looks that screamed “Fuck off.” when he went on about his horseshit about controlling Pennywise so as to protect America. Likewise, we had strong reactions when the one dickhead insisted that Rose and Taniel speak English. When Rose keeps trying to offer warning and is rebuffed, at which point do you say that Shaw deserves what’s coming to him? Not much of Hank, but he’s prevented from going to Shawshank. And we confirm that, er, Ingrid, I believe her name is, is the woman he was seeing. I know Ryan mentioned the idea last week. It seemed possible, and indeed, the surmise was correct. Jury’s still out on whether she’s a form of Pennywise, though if she is, hopefully she has the nosh out of her oh so pleasant husband. Her surname is a familiar one... We shall see. Good that Charlotte is on the ball. Yes, credit to the Hanlons on moving to the base. Love Hanlon’s dialogue of imploring to Charlotte believe him, and though she may be doubtful about the specifics, she runs with it. Love how Margie vouches that Lilly was innocent of the eye bit. Even if no one buys it as Rich hurtfully yet truthfully notes, it’s a nice thing, and it leads to the reconciliation. Margie is rising the ranks of favorites in this, as I am loving her arc so far. You gave a shout out to Matilda Lawler who plays Margie, and yes, the little lady has been most impressive. Quite adore your words there. And now she is in the fold as was sort of spoiled by the second poster for this, which I can now mention that. Sweet how Rich is settling as your favorite of the kids. They all got the visit from Not Matty. Love the look on your face with that. You take that in, and you just say, “Low blow, Bob.” Plenty of red balloons with that one. There was the capture of Audra as bait, so there is a precedent. (Then again, they left that plotline out of the newer two-part film, which pissed me off, so the point is undermined.) All the same, we smelled what was rotten and knew the score. We did both have the “Very poor choice of words.” remark when the word “float” was said. We also both guessed right about the overdoing it with the pills. I know that people are going to allow a pass as they are kids who don’t know any better. I get that. And I have to put aside my own experience of being prescribed pills, namely Ritalin, followed by the next decade with other stuff, when I was about nine or ten, and how the doctors emphasized about caution, dosage, and how my parents and the administration at school were on the ball with it, making it clear that this shit is no joke. The kids don’t have that experience, and they take too much. Sure enough, the pills have the kids behaving like a PG version of the village drunkard in some early Irish novel. Total loss of all basic motor function. Blurred vision, no balance, numb tongue. The mind recoils in horror, unable to communicate with the spinal column. (Which is interesting because you can actually watch yourself behaving in this terrible way, but you can’t control it.) Rather like how you make comments about how certain medicines work on the mind in differing manners for different people. One thing that nobody tells you is that a result of longer periods of taking certain meds is that you end up needing coffee/caffeine largely just to stabilize the system, as it never gives you much of a buzz anymore. Seriously, I’ve had three cups of coffee past midnight, slept like a baby. The trek through the sewers is tense. Poor Hallorann, where even when you know he’ll live, it’s still tense. You spoke of having a good bead on the Shining lore, and asked us to let you know if you miss anything with that. There is his grandma. He and his grandma share the same abilities, as has been established. The box in his flashback?/nightmare is tied to the Shining mythos as we are tying into another Stephen King book/film. Said film, by the way, my brother went into it super blind and didn’t figure out the connection to its predecessor until well into the film, which still cracks both of us up. He makes it out. Good catch on Hanlon supposedly was immune to Pennywise. Speaks to his power. Seems to me that Pennywise changed tactics; if he can’t strike at Hanlon’s mind, he’ll attack his heart. We both had the dread about the kids. Massive credit to Russo how plucky comic relief bestie though he is, he’s not stupid. Namely, though he doesn’t fully grasp what’s up, he caught how the Pennywise hallucinations aren’t shared per se, hence the kids are real, and he moved. Anticipated the reaction to bestie sacrifice, complete with you saying “Bestie!” once or twice. Hearing it in your voice how it got you, makes me say, “Yeah, I do apologize about that, Jess.” And now Hanlon is shaken by that, not that Shaw cares, though he does offer condolences. We both got angry at Shaw in his last scene of the episode. His one remark made me snap, “Hey! What do you mean, “these people”, Sir?” Now to my favorite character of the show/mythos: Pennywise. They did a good move on holding off on Pennywise, making the audience shiver with antici... ...pation. You expressed liking how they took their time with that, and the words about that. That was my assessment as well. He has arrived. I’m reminded of the lingering regret that we never could get Tim Curry back as Pennywise in these newer adaptations. I know there was pushback from fans about that for desire of a darker Pennywise, and I maintained that Tim could have done it. In fact, around the time when serious discussion picked up about the newer It, Tim had a MAGNIFICENT guest spot on Criminal Minds where he was FUCKING TERRIFYING and had the PERFECT energy for a darker Pennywise for the modern era. Sadly, however, he had the stroke in 2012, so it was not to be. Good to see Tim’s spirit and resilience is still quite strong. All this is a bit of a prelude to discussing Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. Never saw him in anything prior to that which was helpful. Sort of like Jodie Whittaker succeeding Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, with no frame of reference or preconceived notions, you just assess them as the character. Bill as Pennywise, he was great, much though Tim’s shadow is forever inescapable like the shadow of Bela and/or Sir Christopher Lee as Dracula is. And now, Bill back as Pennywise seeing him again here... It’s very nice. And now lovely to see your reaction to good old Pennywise the Dancing Clown once again. Yes, the transformation was terrifying and wonderful to watch. We both had about the same reaction to the shard driving Pennywise off like the crucifix drives Dracula away. Shame that Pennywise isn’t quite as dramatic about it as Bela, but the acting in that part was perfect. Do love your additional comments on the manifestations of fear. And you say it’s weird to say you look forward to that. Set aside that I’m not one to talk, they have been laying off with the graphic birth shit, so as long as they keep that off the table, and are sans needles, I get looking forward to the myriad of creative fears brought to life. Plus, there’s the other part that I got gleefully ecstatic. Delightful to see that they’re finally diving into the one aspect of the cycles of Pennywise that wasn’t really dived into with either the miniseries or the newer two-part film: How the cycle wraps up in tissue paper with pink ribbons on it with one hell of a bang. I know at least one thing about the upcoming festivities that’s coming. Oh, and I figured the opening titles song would cause a few problems, copyright-wise. Don’t blame you for being shtum during that. Lovely, lovely reaction, Jess, thank you so much.
Thomas Corp
2025-11-24 22:58:13 +0000 UTC
