After a deadly encounter with the entity on its home turf, It: Welcome to Derry returns to show the aftermath. Despite the dangerous run in, both the military and most of the kids are not deterred in their search.
In the previous episode, we saw that Ingrid, the head of housekeeping at Juniper Hill Asylum, had her own agenda. There was a reason why she tried so hard to convince Lilly to help clear local film projectionist Hank Grogan of murder charges. Her actions called into question her motives and credibility. “In the Name of the Father” peels back the curtain even more to her true self.
Ingrid’s backstory visually stands out from previous flashbacks on It: Welcome to Derry. The black and white provides a more artful and stylistic backdrop. The addition of a hint of color, especially the red, focuses the attention on those specific items ramping up the suspense and accentuating the violence.
Ingrid’s reveal is well done beginning with the ambiguity of the cold opening. It’s a puzzle with pieces scattered in the episode that slowly come together once we visit her house. The realization sends chills up your spine as Lilly recalls past instances. In addition, it makes more sense why she takes interest in children at the asylum, and particularly how she feels that Lilly is a kindred spirit of sorts. Although there is a level of unhinged obsession present that turns Ingrid a little one note.
The kids bring the levity to It: Welcome to Derry. Their traumatic experiences have brought them closer together with some more than others. Though tonally different, the exploration of romantic relationships does serve as a palette cleanser from all the horror and racial undertones. Will and Ronnie have a more sweet young love. Rich and Marge can be as cute, but plays more towards comic relief with the immaturity of the pair. But things become cheesy between them with Ronnie’s drumming, not to mention the special “Air Force” Coke, which seems unnecessary.
Other than the big Ingrid reveal and cute teen couple moments, nothing of real significance occurs. It is mostly set up heading into the final two episodes of the season. There is more insight into how Hallorann’s powers work, but he himself walks through everything like a zombie. At least there is the potential for some fireworks in the future, especially with how it ends, but alas, no real action here.
“In the Name of the Father” mainly sets up events for the conclusion of the season, but has a chilling reveal and some cute moments between the kids.
New episodes of It: Welcome to Derry air Sundays on HBO.
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