‘Castle Rock’ Season Premiere Recap: The Unknown Prisoner

Castle Rock is a show about a small town that serves as the setting for Stephen King’s literary works. While it does not explicitly revolve around one book, different references to King’s works appear frequently. As the show premieres with its first three episodes, the identity of the town unfolds alongside old tragedies. However, the protagonist’s homecoming sparks the return of its gloomy era.

In the season premiere of Castle Rock, Henry Deaver (André Holland) receives a mysterious call that sends him back to his hometown. Meanwhile, the local prison of Shawshank changes guard as former Warden Dale Lacy (Terry O’Quinn) commits suicide. As Henry’s arrival becomes known, Molly Strand (Melanie Lynskey) inevitably reunites with her old neighbor.

Episode One: Severance

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After Henry’s latest client inevitably facing death row, he receives an anonymous call that sends him back home. Because of the nature of his job, Henry does not usually visit his hometown. However, the mysterious caller from Shawshank Correctional insists that a prisoner is asking for him. During Henry’s investigation over this new client, he reunites with his mother, Ruth Deaver (Sissy Spacek) and her new partner, Alan Pangborn (Scott Glenn) who was also his rescuer.

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As a child, Henry was part of a mystery that cost his adoptive father, Pastor Matthew Deaver’s life. Matthew and Henry went missing in the woods until the authorities found Matthew. However, Henry was still missing and was presumed dead until Alan found him. While Henry had not reached Shawshank yet, the staff in prison are in shambles because of a startling discovery.

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Shawshank’s newly instated Warden Porter (Ann Cusack) picks up after the mess Warden Lacey left. She discovers that a large part of the prison is unused, so she sends Correction Officers Dennis Zalewski (Noel Fisher) and Morris (Eddie Resendes) to the area. When Officer Zalewski finds an unknown Prisoner (Bill Skarsgård), Warden Porter has no intention of letting the Prisoner go, so he calls Henry, whose name was the only thing the Prisoner said.

Episode 2: Habeas Corpus

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Henry finally makes contact with his anonymous caller, Corrections Officer Zalewski. Zalewski’s conscience haunted him when he learned of Warden Porter’s plans. Because of this, he contacted Henry. While they did not have much information about the Prisoner, Zalewski did know a way for Henry to enter the prison without having the personnel know. As Henry joined a church group that reached out to inmates, Zalewski led the Prisoner to the field for Henry to see. Finally, Henry knew the face of his new client.

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Meanwhile, Alan decides to give Warden Porter a heads up. Alan knew about Lacey’s secret prisoner, and he implied that the mysterious prisoner’s imprisonment saved the town from all the tragedies it used to experience. At first, Porter tries to avoid Alan, but as he told her about his time as the town’s Sheriff, she becomes interested. However, Alan’s warning became useless as Henry eventually met up with the Prisoner.

Episode 3: Local Color

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While Henry’s first visit to Shawshank gives him no leads, his stay at the town does not go to waste. He meets his old neighbor, Molly, a woman who had a strange connection to his consciousness. However, Henry and Molly’s encounter does not bid well for her. Because of him, Molly found it hard to control the voices in her head as she heard his thoughts. Also, she was out of the drugs that helped her drown them out. Eventually, Molly ends up in the local precinct because of her desperate search for drugs.

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As much as Henry did the right thing when he paid for Molly’s release, his presence still shook her to the core. Because they still had time, Henry decides to take Molly to the TV station where she has scheduled for an interview. Molly’s job as a real estate broker led her to construct a project that would revitalize the town’s downtown district. Unfortunately, Henry’s thoughts overpowered hers as Molly ended up talking about Henry’s mysterious new client on live television.

As a result of Molly’s sudden announcement, Warden Porter decides to let Henry speak to the still unknown Prisoner. Henry promptly tells him their plan to let him walk free. However, their time is cut short, so Henry had little to work with for the case. Meanwhile, Molly’s past haunts her as she arrives home, seeing her house disorderly and having hallucinations of Henry’s father, Pastor Deaver, whom she killed.

Castle Rock’s history is full of tragedy and the loss of lives. As implied by Lacey’s letter to Alan, the mysterious Prisoner Henry was desperately trying to set free needed to be kept locked up. However, the likelihood of this becomes questionable. Also, the Prisoner’s emergence among the other inmates cost the life of his roommate. Something about the Prisoner gives him an eery aura. Frankly, I think that he might send the town to its doom.

Castle Rock continues next Wednesday, August 1st, with “The Box” on Hulu.