Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the mind-boggling ending of 'IT: Welcome to Derry' Episode 2! This installment will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about Pennywise and the infamous Bradley Gang Car.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for 'IT: Welcome to Derry' Episode 2, streaming now on HBO Max!
In this week's episode, we uncover the truth behind Leroy Hanlon's presence in Maine and his encounter with masked assailants in the previous episode. It turns out, Leroy's amygdala injury from the Korean War has rendered him incapable of feeling fear, making him an ideal candidate to confront the fear-mongering Pennywise.
General Shaw reveals to Leroy that he's part of a top-secret plan, 'Operation Precept,' where the U.S. Government aims to capture Pennywise and harness its power as a weapon. But here's where it gets controversial...
When asked about the metaphorical connection to the nuclear arms race, actor James Remar, who portrays General Shaw, shared his insights. He likened it to the post-World War II era, where the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the atomic age and the space race. In this context, harnessing Pennywise's power didn't seem far-fetched to General Shaw.
And this is the part most people miss...
'IT: Welcome to Derry' also sheds light on Dick Hallorann's presence in Derry. Using his psychic abilities, or 'shine,' as he calls it, Dick is on a mission to locate 'beacons' surrounding Pennywise. The episode ends with a chilling scene where the military unearths a bullet-riddled car from the Depression era, filled with corpses. Hallorann had predicted its location.
But what does this car have to do with the real-life Brady Gang? And was Pennywise behind the Bradley Gang massacre in Derry? Let's unravel these mysteries.
The car excavated at the end of Episode 2 is closely tied to the Bradley Gang. In Stephen King's original novel, 'It,' pharmacist Norbert Keene shares the story of the Bradley Gang with Mike Hanlon. Led by brothers George and Al Bradley, this Depression-era gang terrorized Derry, robbing shops and killing owners. However, the townspeople fought back, gunning down the Bradley Gang.
Norbert mentions that locals recall seeing a clown shooting alongside the gang. This is further hinted at in the opening credits of 'Welcome to Derry,' where Pennywise is seen engaging in a gunfight during the Depression era.
The Bradley Gang's story is inspired by the real-life Brady Gang, a group of bandits active during the Depression, who met their end in a shootout with FBI agents in Bangor, Maine. Bangor served as the inspiration for Derry in Stephen King's universe.
So, was Pennywise responsible for the Bradley Gang massacre? The evidence seems to suggest so, with Pennywise's involvement hinted at in both the novel and the opening credits.
As we delve deeper into the lore of Pennywise, we uncover a creature that has slumbered for decades, awakening every 27-28 years to feed on the fears of Derry's residents. King alludes to several of Pennywise's past atrocities, including the 1908 Kitchener Ironworks explosion and the 1930s Bradley Gang massacre.
Now, the question remains: What other secrets does Pennywise hold, and how far will the U.S. Government go to control this existential evil?
What are your thoughts on the ending of 'IT: Welcome to Derry' Episode 2? Do you think Pennywise's involvement in the Bradley Gang massacre is a stretch, or is it a chilling reality? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
