‘Welcome to Derry’ Delivers an Unhinged Experience

The television series, It: Welcome to Derry, offers a blend of supernatural horror and Cold War drama. Set in the small town of Derry during 1962, the show intertwines local teenage experiences with a layer of military intrigue and historical tension.

Cold War Tensions

The series begins to explore the military presence in Derry. A significant plot point is the Derry Air Force Base, strategically located just seven hours from Soviet airspace. This setting is crucial amidst the rising fears of nuclear war during the Cold War era.

Major Leroy Hanlon

Central to the narrative is Major Leroy Hanlon, portrayed by Jovan Adepo. Hanlon, a Korean War veteran, is selected by General Francis Shaw, played by James Remar, to participate in a top-secret program at the base.

Special Projects Unveiled

• Major Hanlon learns of a fenced-off building labeled for “special projects.”
• The episode reveals hints about a significant military initiative called “Operation Precept.”
• General Shaw informs Hanlon of suspicions that the Soviet Union plans to place nuclear weapons in Cuba.

The Nature of the Weapon

The military’s objective involves an ancient weapon buried in Derry, which is said to harness fear. What makes Hanlon unique is his ability to confront this fear, owing to a combat injury that has dulled his senses of terror.

Indigenous Connections

The series also incorporates elements from the local Indigenous population, who are highly protective of the land and wary of military intervention. Their stories add depth to the conflicts surrounding the military’s activities in Derry.

Hallorann’s Role

Another significant character, Dick Hallorann, knows more than he initially reveals. He jokingly references a “super-secret spy mission,” but his role evolves as he participates in a dig linked to the buried entity. Hallorann starts using his unique abilities to locate the ominous presence.

Haunting Encounters and Foreboding

In the second episode, titled “Now You See It,” we see the growing tension as Hallorann and Hanlon team up for a surveillance flight. Hallorann’s mental contact with the entity suggests that something sinister is on the horizon.

• Hanlon and Hallorann encounter a powerful presence that endangers their lives.
• Shaw’s ambitions lead him to underestimate the threat posed by the entity.

Looking Ahead

As new episodes unfold, viewers anticipate further revelations about the entity known as “It.” The promotional material hints at key locations, including “29 Neibolt Street,” and implies deeper explorations into the “beacons” essential for locating the entity.

New episodes of It: Welcome to Derry will air weekly on El-Balad, where audiences can follow the intertwining tales of supernatural horror and military drama. With each installment, the show builds a chilling narrative that holds deep connections to both the characters and the historical context of fear and power.