It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 — Episode 3 References to Stephen King’s Universe
HBO Max’s It: Welcome to Derry Episode 3, titled Now You See It, debuts on November 9, 2025. The story deepens the connection between the 1962 prequel timeline and the events depicted in the 2017 and 2019 It films, enriching Stephen King’s wider literary universe.
Multiverse Connections
The third episode integrates elements of King’s multiverse through recurring characters and cosmic mythology. It explores early manifestations of Derry’s haunting presence and ties the town’s dark history to other works in King’s canon.
Timeline and Structure
Set exactly 27 years before the children’s first confrontation with Pennywise in 1989, the series adheres to the cyclical nature of the creature’s appearances. This temporal design exposes the origins of trauma that shaped Derry’s supernatural foundation.
Government Intervention and Myth Expansion
Episode 3 introduces General Shaw’s Operation Precept, a secret Cold War initiative that attempts to harness Pennywise as a potential weapon. This subplot reveals that government agencies had knowledge of the entity long before the Losers Club faced it.
Confirmed Stephen King References
- At least nine direct nods to Stephen King’s novels and settings appear throughout the episode.
- References strengthen the shared universe between It and King’s other works.
- The show’s approach reflects King’s recurring themes of cosmic dread and human vulnerability.
“The show operates on Stephen King’s established 27-year cycle, where Pennywise awakens, feeds, and returns to dormancy.” — Radio Times
Episode 3 continues HBO Max’s weekly release schedule leading up to the season finale on December 14, 2025.
Author’s Summary
The episode skillfully expands Stephen King’s mythos by weaving historical intrigue, supernatural lore, and the cyclical horror defining Derry’s identity.