IT Welcome To Derry Episode 4 Breakdown & Ending Explained | Review & Pennywise Book Easter Eggs

Episode 4 answers many questions and features numerous Easter eggs and book nods. The episode opens with the kids trying to convince Chief Bowers of Pennywise's existence after taking a photo. Many town locations are named, such as Nan’s Luncheonette (from 'Needful Things'), Palmer’s (possibly a nod to screenwriter Chase Palmer), and the Jade Orient. The Arrowhead Hotel (a potential 'The Mist' reference) and McMurie Studios (referencing James McMurie from 'Under the Dome') are also spotted. The river in Derry, known for drownings, is linked to Pennywise's activities. Chief Bowers dismisses the kids, mirroring the book's theme where adults are blind to Pennywise, often seeing only inanimate objects or nothing at all, further isolating the children.

Adults' inability to see Pennywise is a recurring theme, isolating the kids. Lily is threatened with Juniper Hill Asylum again. Leroy, new to Derry, witnesses paranormal events, leading to speculation that some adults might eventually believe the children. A character, potentially Mrs. Kersh (Pennywise's daughter), remembers past cycles of disappearances in the 1930s, tying into the Great Depression era. Her red attire and 'balloon' patterns on her blouse hint at her connection to Pennywise. The show plans to explore earlier time periods, with Season 2 in the 1930s and Season 3 in 1908, possibly showing Mrs. Kersh's origins.

Dick Halaran and his friends are setting up their new hangout, the 'Black Spot,' a requisitioned shed. This area, possibly part of the 'Westwood' where Pennywise is contained, becomes a central theme. The atomic explosion PSA featuring 'Bert the Turtle' references Maturin, the cosmic turtle who is Pennywise's rival and guardian of the universe in the books. Maturin vomited up our universe, and his presence is subtly hinted at through turtle imagery, such as Lily’s bracelet. The show is incorporating elements of Maturin, unlike the previous film adaptations, and the significance of Maturin's 'mental fortitude and faith' in battling Pennywise.

Lily's friend, Patty, attempts a prank on her in school, leading to a disturbing encounter. Will's mother, Charlotte, discovers his photos of Pennywise and begins to believe him, spurred by concerns for Hank. Will and Leroy go fly fishing, where Will encounters Pennywise in the form of his father, mirroring fears from the book where Pennywise appears as loved ones. Leroy witnesses a red balloon and believes Will, possibly due to his family being new to Derry and not yet under its spell. This leads Leroy to confront Shaw at the base regarding the entity they are chasing.

Charlotte investigates Hank's case, learning he was wrongly accused. Hank was having an affair with a married white woman, which, in 1950s Maine, could lead to severe consequences, heightening the racial tensions Pennywise exploits. This situation echoes themes of injustice seen with characters like Andy Dufresne from 'Shawshank Redemption.' Charlotte uses her knowledge of civil rights to ensure Hank receives due process.

The soldiers clean up the Black Spot, with Dick having visions foreshadowing future events. Dick experiences frightening flashes of his grandmother and a plug hole, hinting at encounters in the sewers, where Pennywise lives. Lily, burdened by the possibility of a lobotomy, and her friends discuss taking Valium to dull their fear of Pennywise, reflecting the creature's predatory nature to feed on fear. The threat of lobotomy for Lily becomes a recurring fear, potentially leading to a state of sedation where Pennywise cannot affect her.

Marge is manipulated by Patty to humiliate Lily. Pennywise targets Marge when she is at her most vulnerable, causing her eyes to fill with worms and blood, a horrifying visual reminiscent of classic horror. This scene echoes 'Carrie,' where a bullied girl exacts revenge. Marge's traumatic experience in the woodwork class, where she tries to harm herself, further isolates Lily, as she is seen holding the weapon. This showcases Pennywise's strategy of division and isolation amongst the children.

Leroy confronts Charlotte about her involvement with Hank, expressing fear of causing more trouble for their family. Will has another nightmare after looking at a model of the solar system, and then sees Pennywise outside his window, confirming his fears. Leroy sees the red balloon, prompting him to confront Shaw. Dick Halaran uses his psychic abilities, similar to Professor X, to extract information from Taniel, enduring a taxing mental struggle reminiscent of the ritual of Chud.

Dick delves into Taniel's memories, revealing the origin of Pennywise in the 'Western Wood.' Taniel's childhood memory shows Pennywise crashing to Earth, similar to its depiction in 'It Chapter 2.' The native tribe, the 'Children of Maturin,' learned about the creature and used parts of its casing to create daggers, burying them in a turtle shell to contain it. The natives' historical encounters with Pennywise, including its shapeshifting into moose and zombified colonizers, highlight its ability to exploit fears and feed on people, emphasizing the importance of the shards in keeping it trapped.

The memory reveals that the tribal people's goal was to cage Pennywise, not kill it, using the shards as totems. Dick's seemingly out-of-character questioning about the 'pillars' suggests he might be influenced by Pennywise. The pillars, found near a well under 29 Neibolt Street, are crucial to containing the creature. The video speculates that the next episode will involve soldiers entering the sewers, which, according to King, form an extensive, forgotten network Pennywise uses to move unseen. The breakdown concludes with a spoiler section, discussing the Black Spot fire and its tragic events, where Pennywise was present, foreshadowing Leroy's involvement and a massive fire in future episodes.