Previously on It: Welcome to Derry, the kids obtain what they think will finally help exonerate Ronnie’s father. Unfortunately, their evidence isn’t enough, and they continue to be terrorized by the dark entity.
The episode has a slow start as it tries to advance narratives both in the short and long term. It’s expected that the kids wouldn’t have such a simple and straight forward solution to freeing Ronnie’s dad. The outcome further isolates Ronnie, Lilly, Will, and Rich since no one will believe them. The onus is predominantly on them to solve the problem.
Predominantly is used because it seems at least Will’s parents are on his side. It’s an interesting dynamic since many of the families from It: Welcome to Derry aren’t necessarily happy homes. Lilly’s mother doesn’t hesitate to send her daughter back to Juniper Hill. Ronnie’s family is broken due to the crime allegations. Yet, the Hanlons are different. The major and Charlotte don’t completely dismiss their son, and they do sense something is off in town. They are a bastion of normalcy since they haven’t lived in Derry long enough to be corrupted.
The pace picks up with Pennywise’s attacks on the children. We receive some eerie body horror that was alluded to in a previous episode. The timing is also dramatic because it occurs at a turning point in Lilly and Marge’s relationship. There could have been a genuine reconciliation but instead the horrific incident only makes Lilly even more of a pariah. The optics are heinous enough that it could sow doubt even with Ronnie, Will, and Rich.
The initial attack on Will is more tame and maybe even cheesy with the use of the red balloon. Its greater impact is setting up the scene later on when we catch the silhouette of Pennywise stalking the youngest Hanlon at his house. It’s a terrifying, hair standing moment. Plus, you needed that first appearance of the red balloon to rouse the Major’s suspicions when he sees it the second time.
The most intriguing part of this episode of It: Welcome to Derry is exploring the backstory and expanding the mythology of Pennywise itself. Will’s scientific explanations provides insight in why It targets children and plays with its prey. More engaging is the origin. The recounting through indigenous legend adds gravitas and the sense of history. Then, the final reveal of a familiar abandoned house is a nice tie-in and tease.
The entire interrogation is an example of the dark place Dick Hallorann can go to. It is also a good visualization of his powers once we enter the mind. It’s so convincing you become caught up in his victim’s story you forget it’s all a manipulation. You come back to reality with the uncomfortable glitch from Rose once all the pertinent intel is extracted.
Despite a slow start, “The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet’s Function” is a captivating Pennywise origin story.
New episodes of It: Welcome to Derry air Sundays on HBO.
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