IT: Welcome to Derry delivered its most intense and psychological episode yet, giving the fans what they want while scarring Halloran.
IT: Welcome to Derry, delivered on every front while providing a series of psychologically intense moments for Major Dick Halloran. Episode 5 saw the military take the underground tunnel after Halloran extracted Pennywise’s location in Episode 4. Halloran, accompanied by his crew, walks through the dingy sewers when the Major jumps into the water, almost drowning before he resurfaces in a bathtub.
Greeted by his grandmother, who has been communicating with him since the beginning of the show, warnings upon warnings are bestowed that Halloran shouldn’t get involved with taming the beast. His grandfather appears and holds a Pulp Fiction-esque box that he threatens to open. However, the grandfather is revealed to be none other than Pennywise, who pries the lock open, unleashing Halloran’s negative psychic memories.
This ties directly to Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining, where Halloran teaches Danny Torrance how to lock away his negative memories and experiences in a lockbox. Halloran is seeing walking out of the sewers, while he looks at the ghost of Pauly Russo. Looks like Pennywise will be tapping into the horrors of negative memories for a feast.
Episode 5: Welcome Back to Derry, Pennywise!
Perhaps the most iconic part of the episode was the big reveal of Bill Skarsgard’s Pennywise the Dancing Clown. After being lured into the sewers under false pretences, we hear a lullaby by “Matty,” whose head opens up and unfolds into the menacing clown.
Pennywise’s buildup has been slow and steady through the show, ultimately delivering a frightening appearance. The clown still takes many forms through the episode: Lilly’s dad, Hanlon’s wife and others.
Bill Skarsgard and the team have intentionally kept Pennywise’s reveal much longer, building more anticipation with easter eggs. The next episode appears to be filled with his human origin, as judged by the trailer.
Remember not to be scared and let him in.
Welcome to Derry Delivers Endless Scare and Thrill Fest
Episode 5 was a thrilling ride from start to finish, following the establishment of Pennywise lore in Episode 4. With the help of Taniel’s cosmic shard, the crew set out to the sewers while this show’s Losers Club does the same. Scares galore, as fear sets in even before the ultimate showdown. Here are more details about the show.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | IT: Welcome to Derry |
| Based on | Stephen King’s 1986 novel It (Prequel to the films IT 2017 and 2019) |
| Setting | Derry, Maine, in 1962 |
| Plot Summary | A couple moves to Derry with their son, and soon after arrival, a boy disappears while strange, terrifying events start taking place. The series explores the origins of Pennywise and the town’s curse. |
| Number of Episodes | 8 episodes in Season 1 |
| Premiere Date | October 26, 2025 |
| Release Schedule | Episodes released weekly on HBO and HBO Max |
| Filming Locations | Toronto, Hamilton and Port Hope, Ontario, Canada |
| Themes | Fear, childhood trauma, racial tensions, supernatural horror |
With the return of Matty, the kids set out to find Phil, who Matty claimed was alive. Upon realising Matty was just Pennywise, the bodies of the children from Episode 1’s theatre massacre start floating up, adding the ominous subliminal message of “you’ll float too.”
As if this wasn’t enough to get your fear glands pumping, Pennywise gaslights the military constantly, not knowing who or what to trust. They are plagued by visions of people that aren’t real, until, unfortunately, this works against Major Hanlon, who shoots at his kid. Major Russo steps in the way, and his demise is tragic as the bullet hits him.
The creators of the show appear to know what works and what doesn’t, with every episode amping up the tension with the indigenous folk and the escalation of racial violence.
What did you think of the new episode?
IT: Welcome to Derry is currently streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
