Previously on HBO Max’s IT: Welcome to Derry, Lily learns Ingrid’s connection to Pennywise; she’s his daughter. Dick Hallorann reveals his ability to see dead people has returned; and Clay Bowers, no longer sheriff, decides to enact his own justice against Hank Grogan.
The episode begins in 1908 with Bob Crane, also known as Pennywise the Clown, and Ingrid performing at a fair. From afar, a boy watches. After Bob’s act, the kids in the audience storm onto his stage, popping balloons and acting crazy, making Pennywise storm off out of anger. Later that night, Bob sees the boy who was watching. The boy asks him to help find his parents. Bob hears screaming, so he follows the boy into the woods. Ingrid learns that Bob has gone missing, and everyone believes an animal attacked him, as they find blood on his handkerchief—that’s when we learn how Pennywise became who he is now.
Next, we head to the Black Spot as masked armed men—Bowers among them—storm in, demanding Hank. Hank steps forward to surrender, but the airmen are faster. They draw their guns, forcing the men to retreat. But it’s a false flag, as the angry mob sets the building on fire and shoots their guns from outside. As chaos spreads, Dick begins seeing the dead and searches for an escape. He spots Sesqui, Necani’s mother from the Galloo story, and calls out to her for help. Meanwhile, Ronnie searches for Will and her father, only to encounter Pennywise, who laughs as she flees. Dick reaches Ronnie, Will, and Hank and guides them to safety. Unfortunately, the roof collapses, trapping Rich and Marge. The two find a cooler that can only hold one, so Rich sacrifices himself to save Marge.
Ingrid comes to the spot looking for her father, as she’s the one who tipped off the police. Instead, she finds her husband, Stanley, who’s shocked to see her in her clown costume. Pennywise kills him and tells Ingrid she’s a good girl, but he’s now going to sleep. Ingrid is confused. She realizes that Pennywise is not her father. But it’s too late as he puts her in a trance, causing Ingrid to float.
The next morning, the firefighters come, and the kids find Rich dead. Charlotte and Leroy arrive, immediately heading toward the kids before Leroy is pulled to talk to Dick. Dick tells him that he can’t feel any sign from Pennywise that he “went to sleep.” He also tells Leroy that in order to find the rest of the pillars, they have to follow Sesqui. Meanwhile, Ronnie and Will take Charlotte to the woods, where Hank is hiding. Charlotte takes Hank’s clothes to make it seem like he died in the fire. She takes him to Rose’s home to hide Hank there for the meantime.
Lily gets a visit from Marge and Ronnie, who tell her about the fire and about Rich. The three of them go to their secret spot, packing up all of Rich’s things.
The airmen move to their next location and successfully find a pillar. Leroy gets told to stand down, learning that there are new plans to burn the pillar and unleash Pennywise onto Derry. Leroy tries to stop them, but General Shaw explains that fear is the only tactic to stop unrest in the country. Leroy threatens Shaw, but it is too late as the Pillar burns.
Back in the sewers, Pennywise is asleep, but he quickly awakens, meaning the gate has cracked open. Will is at home when he gets a phone call from Ronnie. He learns it’s not her, but Pennywise, who is standing behind him. He makes Will float.
Overall, this was a heartbreaking and nerve-racking episode, all in one. It was sad to see Rich die and see the way Marge’s emotions were unpacked. Arian S. Cartaya did an incredible job as Rich. It was sad, but heartwarming to see Rich sacrificing himself for Marge. Rich’s humor and quirkiness were adorable to watch. Leroy was only right to try to stop General Shaw, but now what will happen to Will?
Rating: 9.5/10