Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (April 27, 2026)
Stephen King’s 1986 novel It enjoyed a TV adaptation in 1990. 27 years later, a new take appeared, this time on the big screen.
Even though it only provided half the story, that one turned into a massive hit. 2018’s It Chapter Two made less money but it still turned a sizable profit.
Seven years later, the property produced a prequel via an HBO Max series called It: Welcome to Derry. Whereas the 2017/2018 films took place in both 1988 and 2016, Welcome leads us back to 1962.
This three-disc 4K UHD set includes all eight Season One episodes. The plot synopses come from the series’ official website.
The Pilot: “As four misfit kids vow to find their missing classmate, Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) arrives to a mixed reception at Derry Air Force Base.”
As usual, I mainly expect a pilot to exist for expository reasons. The episode needs to set up characters and situations, though since the audience likely already knows the It universe and aspects of Derry, Welcome requires less background than normal.
In any case, “Pilot” becomes a pretty efficient introduction to the series. Throw in a few spooky moments and it launches the series pretty well.
The Thing In the Dark: “While Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Paige) and her son Will (Blake Cameron James) navigate their new life in Derry, Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Grogan (Amanda Christine) worries about her father Hank's (Stephen Rider) fate.”
“Pilot” concluded with a major event with an impact that spills over into “Dark”. This adds menace to the episode.
Only two shows into the series, we also find some new characters and more exposition. “Dark” combines the ongoing narrative with these introductory elements in a positive manner.
Now You See It: “As Leroy, Captain Pauly Russo (Rudy Mancuso), and Airman First Class Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) search for a new dig site, the kids attempt to get visual proof of the phenomena they've been experiencing.”
Though now three episodes into S1, we still get some character revelations. These add intrigue to the show.
S1’s main narrative domains also develop with “See”. Expect another engaging and provocative show – and we finally get a glimpse of a certain important It character.
The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet's Function: “As the kids face increasingly terrifying experiences, Charlotte attempts to advocate for Hank, and General Shaw (James Remar) escalates his efforts.”
On the negative side, “Function” spends an awful lot of time on a flashback. While this conveys some important season-long narrative information, Episode Four seems late in the game for so much exposition.
Still, “Function” advances the overall plot in a generally positive manner. It also throws in some good shock moments so it works well as a whole.
29 Neibolt Street: “As the military descends on Neibolt Street, the kids head into the sewers with their own objective.”
I tend to feel reluctant to say much about Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) since a discussion of that role could involve spoilers. However, since the series’ promos features him so prominently, I think this feels like safe territory.
The closest I’ll come to a spoiler revolves around the fact Pennywise doesn’t spend a lot of time onscreen in Welcome as a whole. Indeed, the series’ first four shows barely hinted at Pennywise, a fact that made me think Skarsgård works with a great agent since he gets prime billing for the series.
Skarsgård finally starts to earn his pay here. I’d like to say Skarsgård’s first extended appearance is worth the wait… so I will, as our initial real glimpse of Pennywise comes with a punch.
Indeed, “Neibolt” revolves around terror more actively than its predecessors. Welcome finally got most of the exposition out of the way in the first half of the season so “Neibolt” manages to go for the jugular in a more active manner.
That makes it a strong show. “Neibolt” continues to evolve S1’s overall narrative but its stronger concentration on scares gives it real charge.
In the Name of the Father: “Plagued by dark visions, Dick gets a surprise at the Black Spot. Meanwhile, the kids each face their own challenges.”
After the major thrills of “Neibolt”, “Father” sticks with a tighter focus on narrative and character domains. This makes the show less visceral, and it can feel a little too heavy on flashbacks.
Still, “Father” pushes ahead S1’s overall thread in a generally satisfying manner. While less exciting than the prior episode, it still manages to develop S1 well.
The Black Spot: “A vigilante attack on the Black Spot unleashes long dormant forces. In the aftermath, Dick helps uncover another crucial artifact.”
After only sporadic glimpses of Pennywise in the first six shows, “Spot” leans heavily on the character, especially via a flashback to 1908. This provides exposition about that role as well as another who becomes important.
Back in 1962, other significant events occur as well. These point us toward the S1 climax in a propulsive manner.
Winter Fire: “As General Shaw pushes ahead with his mission, the Hanlons, Rose (Kimberly Guerrero), Dick, and the kids realize it's up to them to save Derry.”
Given that Welcome exists as a prequel, the events of the Season One finale come limited in terms of what they can depict. Obviously we know the Welcome characters won’t finish off Pennywise, so the amount of “resolution” available here comes with obvious restrictions.
Despite that unavoidable drawback, “Fire” does deliver a form of closure, so it means S1 doesn’t just feel like a tease for the movies – or for Season Two. As of April 2026, S2 of Welcome remains in the planning stages and appears set to take place in 1935.
Apparently fans won’t actually see S2 until 2027 or 2028, but we do get gentle teasers for where it might go. Again, due to the nature of the prequel premise means a certain tenuous conclusion to S1’s journey.
Nonetheless, it wraps up S1’s arc well. S1 of Welcome expands the King source in a lively manner and becomes an engaging experience. Throw in some winks toward other aspects of the King universe and “Fire” finishes a quality season nicely.
