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Welcome to Deciders It: Welcome to Delhi
There’s a lot to unpack in the show, which is based on Stephen King’s expansive book and introduces a host of new characters while elaborating on the town of Derry and its sinister entity, Pennywise. Let’s dive in.
“The Pilot” kicks off at dawn in 1962 at the Capitol Theater, with the musical number “There Was a Problem” setting the tone. The poignant line mentions how “Our children’s children are going to be in trouble.” Whatever happens in this season’s confrontation with It, the original Losers Club from the 2017 film will, inevitably, find themselves back in the sewers in 1989, facing a disaster that still seems unreal.
In one scene, projectionist Hank Grogan clashes with an usher over a child named Matthew “Matty” Clements, who keeps sneaking into shows. This debate becomes irrelevant, however, as it marks Matty’s last moments alive. In a cold hitchhiked escape, he tells his family he wants to leave Delhi. The tension builds, especially as something unsettling happens when the family drives back into Derry. Matty seeks to go outside, but all they can muster is a collective shout of “OUT!” in a rhythm reminiscent of Pennywise’s taunts.
Things take a dark turn when Matty’s pregnant mother goes into labor unnaturally, and an unseen creature leaps from the shadows. A horrifying baby bat emerges, creating chaos, and in a panic, Matty’s pacifier is sent flying into the sewer, where it follows the movie logo into the depths.
Fast forward to April 1962. Young Phil Malkin stands with a telescope, cataloging planes from local air bases, particularly linked to Cold War operations. Lily Bainbridge, arriving at her high school, finds her locker filled with pickle jars—a cruel echo of her father’s tragic end. There are rumors about body parts discovered in jars throughout Maine, further deepening the town’s mystery. Released from a psychiatric hospital, Lily faces ridicule as “crazy.” Her friend Margie tries to cheer her up by asking about her new glasses, fearing being seen as a “bug-eyed weirdo.”
Phil’s friend, Teddy “Ted” Uris, who shares a last name with a member of the original Losers’ Club, has his own side story, worrying about alien boys and airbases. He muses humorously about the intricacies of bra construction, in a frenzy reminiscent of Richie “Trashmouth” Tozier’s style.
Another significant character introduced is Major Leroy Hanlon, who, one day, will have a son named Mike, the only black member of the Losers Club. LeRoy, an optimist, shares remarks about the country’s issues with General Shaw, hinting at deeper societal troubles. Later, he faces a frightening incident when masked men confront him, hinting at the dangers ahead.
After school, Lily fondly recalls Matty showing her a boys’ clubhouse and begins to hear his voice echoing through the drain. Matty’s haunting words echo the ominous presence of Pennywise, and significant questions arise: Will these children mirror the Losers Club we know? Lily might parallel Beverly, Teddy could resemble Stan, and Phil might just be Richie. And they all seem to have a role related to Bill Denbrough, who tries to unravel Matty’s disappearance.
At home, Ted’s father discusses preparation for his Bar Mitzvah and questions his son about Lily. Ted suggests the possibility of a child being held captive underground, which leads to a somber reminder of his family’s history. This moment is heavy; his father urges him to face real horrors instead of retreating into fantasy.
One of the more chilling moments occurs when Ted attempts to read detective manga before sleep. He sees strange flickers from a lamp that hint at a terrifying reality beyond mere bulbs.
Lily, Teddy, and Phil decide to talk to Veronica “Ronnie” Grogan, who had seen Matty last. Ronnie shares unsettling accounts of things she’s heard, and as they revisit the theater scene, Matty appears on screen, accusing his friends of abandoning him. The scene escalates, with his mouth distorting like Pennywise’s, sparking some concern over the direction of director Andy Muschietti.
Ultimately, the sequence proves to be one of the most unsettling of the premiere. When Matty throws a bundle forward, baby bats burst into the theater, and a vivid strobe lights up the screen, leading the friends to flee in horror. The ending serves as a grim reminder that, in this world, kids often don’t make it back from their nightmares.
As Lily rushes into the lobby, she realizes she’s only holding her friend Suze’s hand—nothing more. The intensity of their experience is amplified by a jarring shift in music, echoing themes from classic films. Welcome to Delhi, where the darkness looms larger than life.
Question corner
How will this generation handle the re-emergence of It? Did the entire family make an appearance in that unsettling opening? If you seek exact rules about this monstrous existence, satisfaction is elusive. But what truly transpired back there?
Stephen King Trivia Corner
The baby bats seem to draw inspiration from two creatures within a scene from Chapter 2. One cookie reveals a crying baby monster, while another suggests bat-like wings fluttering in chaos.
Lastly, a touch of dark humor: Alvin Marsh’s name appears written in heart graffiti in a bathroom stall, a nod to Beverly’s troubled father. And names like Matthew Clements and Veronica Grogan are directly drawn from the novel, appearing as victims rather than characters in their own right.
