It: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Recap & Discussion – Are Those Characters Actually Dead?
The chilling premiere of It: Welcome to Derry has finally arrived, pulling viewers back into Stephen King’s terrifying universe. Serving as a prequel to the two It films, the first episode opens with mystery, blood, and a creeping sense of dread that perfectly sets the tone for the series. While it doesn’t answer every question, it leaves fans theorizing about what’s truly happening beneath the town’s picture-perfect surface — and whether the young characters we meet are already dead.
What Happens in It: Welcome to Derry Episode 1?
The episode opens with a shocking and surreal sequence that instantly signals trouble. A young boy named Matty tries to escape Derry, hoping to leave the strange and sinister energy behind. He hitches a ride from a seemingly normal family, but things quickly spiral into horror when the woman in the car gives birth to a demonic baby. The grotesque scene ends with Matty’s apparent death, establishing that Pennywise’s evil may be returning in a new form.
From there, the episode shifts focus to Matty’s friends — Teddy, Phil, and Lilly — who are desperate to find him. As they search for answers, they encounter a monstrous entity that stalks them through Derry’s fog-filled streets. Lilly barely escapes alive, while Teddy, Phil, and Phil’s little sister appear to meet a grisly fate.
Are Teddy, Phil, and Matty Really Dead?
The series makes it look like the three kids didn’t survive, but it’s not entirely confirmed. Lilly escapes from the chaos clutching what appears to be Phil’s sister’s severed hand, strongly suggesting that the others were killed and their bodies taken by the creature. Since It: Welcome to Derry exists within Stephen King’s mythos, it’s likely the monster has consumed their fears — and possibly their flesh — as Pennywise once did.
Even though no bodies are found, everything points to the children being victims of Derry’s returning evil. Matty, seen in the horrifying opening sequence, seems to have been the first to die, later used by the entity to terrify his friends.
What Does the Opening Scene Mean?
The premiere’s opening moment is a haunting reminder of how Derry’s evil operates. Matty’s encounter with the possessed family and the “rebirth” of Pennywise through the demonic baby suggest the beginning of a new cycle of terror. Each generation in Derry seems cursed to face the same malevolent presence, and the baby could be symbolic of that cycle restarting.
The idea of “rebirth” also fits King’s lore, where Pennywise manifests in new forms over time. The creature feeds not just on flesh but on fear — manipulating reality to sustain its grip on the town.
Leroy’s Storyline and the “Special Project”
Episode 1 also introduces Leroy, a skilled Air Force pilot who relocates to Derry for a top-secret mission involving a B-52 aircraft. He soon notices strange behavior at the Air Force base and faces thinly veiled racism from a fellow officer. Later, Leroy is attacked by masked men demanding the plane’s specifications, hinting at a conspiracy connected to the town’s hidden corruption.
Although his storyline seems separate from the supernatural events, it’s likely that Derry’s darkness extends beyond Pennywise — infecting even those within positions of power. The mysterious “Special Project” could tie into the larger mythology of how evil festers in Derry.
The “Ya Got Trouble” Song’s Meaning
A recurring theme in the episode is the 1962 song “Ya Got Trouble” from The Music Man, which plays several times before major events. The song warns of “moral decay” in a seemingly perfect town — a fitting metaphor for Derry’s corrupted heart.
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When the children hear the tune echoing through their pipes and later in the theater, it acts as a sinister omen. The music bridges innocence and evil, symbolizing how something once joyful has been twisted into a harbinger of death.
What’s Wrong with the People in Derry?
Another subplot centers on Charlotte, Leroy’s wife, who quickly realizes the town’s disturbing apathy. She witnesses a child being beaten by bullies while adults pass by without helping. This mirrors the original It films, where the indifference of adults reflects how Derry’s citizens are subconsciously controlled by the town’s evil presence.
Charlotte’s horror underscores that the corruption in Derry isn’t only supernatural — it’s moral. The residents’ silence and complicity make them part of the town’s curse, allowing darkness to thrive unchecked.
FAQs
1. Who are the main characters introduced in Episode 1?
The episode focuses on Matty, Teddy, Phil, and Lilly — a group of young friends — along with Leroy and Charlotte, newcomers to Derry.
2. Is the baby in the opening scene Pennywise?
While never confirmed, the baby is implied to be a new manifestation or reincarnation of Pennywise, marking his return to Derry.
3. Why is Derry cursed?
Derry’s curse is tied to an ancient evil that feeds on fear, resurfacing every generation to claim new victims.
4. Are Teddy and Phil dead?
Although not explicitly shown, the evidence — including Lilly’s escape and the missing bodies — suggests they’re dead.
5. What is Leroy’s “Special Project”?
The nature of the project remains mysterious, but it’s likely connected to the wider conspiracy and corruption in Derry’s power structures.
6. What does the “Ya Got Trouble” song symbolize?
The song represents moral decay and foreshadows the chaos that overtakes Derry as the evil resurfaces.
Conclusion
It: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 sets a dark and atmospheric stage for the series, reviving the unease that made Stephen King’s story iconic. The town’s chilling indifference, the eerie rebirth of Pennywise, and the deaths of the children all signal that Derry’s nightmare has only begun. Each mystery — from Leroy’s secret project to the haunting music — deepens the sense that evil here isn’t just supernatural; it’s systemic. As new episodes unfold, the question remains: will anyone in Derry escape the curse this time, or are they all already doomed?
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