IT Welcome To Derry Episode 3 Breakdown & Ending Explained | Review & Pennywise Book Easter Eggs

The episode opens in 1908, a crucial year when Bob Gray (Pennywise in human form) arrived with a traveling circus. Pennywise initially struggled to catch prey in monstrous forms, then adopted human shapes before realizing a clown guise was perfect due to its inherent strangeness. 1908 was also when the Kitchen Iron Works explosion occurred, killing 88 children, an event foreshadowed in the intro. The red 'Harvest Moon' and non-red balloons at the circus suggest Pennywise hadn't fully infected it yet. The episode hints at Pennywise's early forms and the introduction of Mrs. Kersh as the daughter of Bob Gray. Slingshots are also highlighted as significant weapons against Pennywise, echoing the books and miniseries.

Young General Shaw is introduced, and his experiences at the circus explain his later awareness of the creature. Circus banners feature the 'skeleton man' (foreshadowing a scare for Shaw) and freak show advertisements, recalling P.T. Barnum and parallels to 'The Shining' twins. The carousel features a Native American, a clown, and a turtle, symbolizing the tribe, Pennywise, and Maturin (Pennywise's cosmic rival). Shaw encounters a Pennywise-like character with red balloons, possibly Mrs. Kersh in her youth. The creepy ringmaster, who might be one of Pennywise's forms, leads people into a 'house of fear,' where Shaw is spooked by the skeleton man, a manifestation of his fears. The scene in the funhouse, with its distorted mirrors, is likened to the funhouse in 'IT Chapter 2'.

Lily is at Juniper Hill, a mental institution, given tranquilizers after her previous episode. The harsh treatments she faces highlight the dangers of being perceived as mentally unstable in Derry. Lily's mother is less sensitive, but the head of housekeeping, played by Meline Stowe, is kind and believes Lily's visions, suggesting she might be a manifestation of Maturin or a future Mrs. Kersh. Hank is in jail, falsely accused of the murders. Chief Bowers attempts to coerce a confession, but the evidence is circumstantial. A significant Easter egg is the mention of 'Shawshank,' a prison from Stephen King's universe, where Hank might be sent, potentially meeting characters like Red and Andy.

Ronny faces public shaming after her father's arrest, her locker defaced. The red graffiti and blood-like paint on her hands symbolize her guilt and trauma, mirroring Bev's blood in the sink in 'IT Chapter 1'. Will, new to Derry, questions the town's injustice, contrasting with the town's general complacency. Lily and Ronny decide to get photographic evidence of Pennywise, believing adults won't believe them. They plan to have Will develop the photos, setting up a scene reminiscent of 'Stranger Things'.

Shaw investigates the Bradley gang's car, which possesses strong psychic energy. The car was part of a massacre in Derry, where Pennywise was reportedly seen. Shaw plans to use Dick Halaran to fly over the woods, the nexus of Pennywise's activities, using a slingshot imbued with Pennywise's energy as a tracker. Meanwhile, Dick, with his mates, comments on Aretha Franklin, a deep cut to 'The Shining'. The deteriorating conditions of their base reflect the segregation of the time. Shaw's decision to use Dick, who has 'special privileges,' sets the groundwork for the 'Black Spot,' a future night spot for black soldiers that is eventually burned down by white supremacists.

Rose, now older, learns the army has dug up the Bradley gang's car. She and her friends are concerned about the military disturbing sacred Native American burial grounds, fearing it will unleash the evil in the forest. Rose and Shaw reunite after 50 years, and Shaw initially can't remember Derry or Rose, a thematic link to the Lost Club's memory loss in 'IT Chapter 2,' representing repressed childhood trauma. Shaw's memory returns after seeing Rose's cease and desist letter regarding the disturbance of the land. The discussion about water pipes to the Kanduski stream highlights Pennywise's potential escape route through the sewers.

Flashes show young Shaw and Rose's past friendship and his departure from Derry. Rose returns the slingshot, possibly helping him retain memories of Pennywise. Dick Halaran goes into a trance while flying over the barren, 'shining' with visions similar to Danny Torrance. Paulie mentions experiments on psychic soldiers, referencing 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' and MKUltra. Dick's vision takes him to Pennywise's lair, which resembles the void from 'Stranger Things' and features floating toys of missing children, similar to the scenes in 'IT Chapter 1'. He sees his grandmother, who taught him about the 'shining' and containing dangerous visions in a 'box,' a significant connection to 'The Shining' and 'Doctor Sleep.' Dick's encounter with Pennywise's lair leaves him shaken, describing the entity as 'cold' and connecting to the smell of dampness associated with the clown in the books.

Lily's mom works at a diner, a subtle nod to Bev's mom being a waitress in the book. The kids discuss space exploration and teenage crushes, with Will showing interest in Ronny. The kids meet at the Derry Stamp Pipe, a significant location for a clubhouse. Rich, with secondhand knowledge, leads a ritual to summon the entity, incorporating elements of Santeria. Leroy's dinner with Dick reveals tensions surrounding racial segregation and Leroy's ambition within the Air Force. Dick's ability to 'taste' flavors foreshadows his culinary role in 'The Shining'. A twist reveals Dick was part of Shaw's test, assessing Leroy's fear (or lack thereof), highlighting Shaw's manipulative methods.

The kids' ritual begins, but Rich's lack of true knowledge and Will's skepticism cause friction. The scene is likened to the failed rituals of the natives and the Losers Club's arguments. Despite the apprehension and disagreements, the ritual seems to work. The Jesus statue turns, and the gate to the graveyard appears to move, symbolizing the confrontation of fears. A headstone for Theodore Burgess (possibly Teddy) and the collapsing ground foreshadow dangers. The kids are chased by the entity, and Will manages to photograph a glimpse of Pennywise's hand. The camera acts as a temporary shield, echoing Stan's defiance against Pennywise with his bird book. The kids hug, forming a pact, reminiscent of the Losers Club. They develop the photo in a darkroom, recalling 'Stranger Things' and the album scene from the book, concluding the episode with proof of the cosmic entity, albeit with the implication that adults may not see it.