What Happens to Dick Hallorann? How Welcome to Derry Sets Up The Shining

by

Season 1 of Welcome to Derry brings back the popular Stephen King character Dick Hallorann. Best known from The Shining and Doctor Sleep, the show explores Hallorann’s early years when he was stationed in Derry as a member of the Air Force.

Hallorann’s impressive skills made him a powerful opponent for Pennywise and played a key role in controlling the monster. The season one finale of Welcome to Derry, titled “Winter Fire,” suggests what happens to him after his terrifying ordeal in the town.

Dick Hallorann’s History in the Stephen King Universe

Stephen King often connects elements across his stories, and The Shining and IT are linked even before the events in IT begin. In the 1986 novel IT, Mike Hanlon discovers from his father, William, on his deathbed, that William witnessed the fire at the club—a fire deliberately set by the Maine Legion of White Decency.

When attempting to flee, Dick Hallorann, who was a young cook at the base, assisted William in escaping. He likely used his psychic ability – often called ‘the shining’ – to locate a secure path, though this isn’t stated explicitly.

The story doesn’t spend much time exploring Dick Hallorann’s past, but we learn his ability to sense things comes from his grandmother. He’s shown to be a kind, compassionate person who cares about and wants to protect young Danny Torrance and his family.

The story continues, showing that the protagonist’s grandfather was deeply cruel and that his spirit continued to cause trouble even after death. After being haunted by his grandfather’s ghost, the protagonist learns from his grandmother how to protect himself from harmful spirits.

He developed a mental technique to trap and contain even the most powerful and frightening ghosts. He later teaches this skill to Danny, helping him cope with the terrifying presence haunting him from Room 237 at the Overlook Hotel.

Welcome to Derry Showed More of Dick Hallorann’s Shining Ability

In the first season of Welcome to Derry, Hallorann is sent by General Shaw to use his psychic abilities. Initially, it seemed the military wanted to weaponize the monster, ‘It,’ to help win the Cold War. But it’s later revealed that General Shaw actually planned to use the creature to frighten the American public into submission and maintain control.

Before the full story comes out, Hallorann connects with Pennywise mentally. Realizing Hallorann is a significant danger, Pennywise later unlocks a hidden part of his mind, leaving him deeply traumatized until Rose offers help in the final episode.

He’s a young man still discovering himself, sometimes confident and other times insecure. While he can be stubbornly determined and fiercely loyal, even to his own detriment, he’s ultimately a kind and heroic person with a strong sense of justice.

While not as powerful as Danny Torrance’s ability in The Shining and Doctor Sleep, Hallorann’s psychic gift was considerable, especially when he was younger. He notably surprised Pennywise by entering his private domain, could maintain mental intrusion for a long time, and successfully used his powers to track the children and the dagger, ultimately saving numerous lives.

Dick Hallorann Starts a New Life After Facing Pennywise

After Pennywise went back into hiding, Dick Hallorann checked in on Leroy Hanlon as he was getting his family ready to move. He shared that Rose had managed to calm the spirits, and while things were still difficult, he hoped it would last permanently. Hallorann was then ready to proceed with his plans.

When Leroy asks if he’s leaving that night, the man replies that he’s taking a bus to Boston and then a plane to London in the morning. He explains that an old friend who owns a hotel in London wants to give him a job as a cook. Leroy tells him to get in touch if he ever needs help, but the man assures him everything will be fine, joking, “What trouble could there possibly be at a hotel?”

While the story doesn’t explicitly state it, Dick Hallorann’s background reveals he’s transitioning from military service to a new job. This career path ultimately brings him to the notorious Overlook Hotel, located in Colorado.

It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 is now streaming on HBO.

Read More

2025-12-15 06:10