Why Derry Residents Forget Past Events In ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ – And How They Can Remember Again

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In Stephen King’s IT and the new HBO Max series Welcome to Derry, people who leave the town of Derry experience a strange kind of amnesia. They forget the terrifying events that happen there, but somehow regain those memories later. Welcome to Derry explores the history of Derry and the ancient evil – Pennywise the Clown – that haunts it, taking place decades before the events of IT: Chapter One in 1989. A central mystery of the story is why Derry’s residents consistently forget the horrors they’ve witnessed once they leave town.

In the movie IT: Chapter Two, the Losers Club—with the exception of Mike Hanlon—lost all their memories of what happened in Derry, demonstrating the powerful influence Pennywise has over the town. The third episode of the series IT: Welcome to Derry revealed more about Derry’s dark past and explained why some people are prone to forgetting.

Why Derry’s Residents Forget the Past, Explained

The reason people in Derry – and anyone who visits – forget what happens there is because of Pennywise’s powerful, supernatural influence. This ancient evil essentially keeps the town under its control, using memory loss as a way to protect itself and ensure its 27-year cycle of terror continues undisturbed.

In the third episode of “IT: Welcome to Derry,” viewers learn why the townspeople of Derry tend to forget things. This is revealed during a conversation between Frank Shaw and Rose, a local resident. The episode begins by showing how Frank and Rose met during a previous appearance of Pennywise (likely in 1908, judging by their ages). Frank was attacked, but Rose saved him.

A few days after the incident, Shaw left Derry and completely forgot everything that had happened. He only remembered it when he came back. Rose observed that memories seem to fade whenever someone leaves the town.

Frank Shaw: “I mean, I didn’t remember any of it, You, this town.”

Rose said it happens to everyone who stays here, no matter how long. The memories become distant as time passes, and some people believe that’s a good thing. She wasn’t so sure, admitting the place had a certain appeal, but then asked if the other person remembered things as well.

Frank Shaw: “Not much. My father, life on the base? But mostly. I remember you.”

Rose: “It was one summer Francis, we were 12. I doubt you even remember my name.”

Rose’s explanation matched what Mike Hanlon said in the movie IT: Chapter Two. He explained that the further someone gets from the town of Derry, the more they forget, which supports the idea that Pennywise has a strong hold on the town and its people.

“Something happens to you when you leave this town. The farther away, the hazier it all gets.”

It seems that once someone leaves Derry, Pennywise can no longer affect them, and this power has a limited range. This might also explain why the people who live in Derry don’t realize the terrible things happening to children in the town.

Here’s How Derry’s Residents Remember Events Again

Going back to Derry brings back painful memories for people who used to live there, and this is how they remember the difficult and frightening experiences they had.

In IT: Chapter Two, it’s explained that Mike Hanlon was the only member of the Losers’ Club who maintained all of his memories because he remained in Derry, unlike the others who moved away. This seems intentional, as IT likely wanted Mike to remember so he could summon the rest of the group, allowing IT to carry out its plan for revenge. The other Losers regain their memories upon returning to Derry (you can find more information about each Welcome to Derry character connected to the Losers’ Club here).

In Stephen King’s novel, simply hearing the name Derry is enough to bring back painful memories. For instance, when Mike said the name to Bill on the phone, it instantly reminded Bill of everything they experienced as children.

The way Derry makes people forget their experiences there represents how we often bury painful childhood memories. Returning to Derry, or revisiting those memories, brings everything flooding back, and it’s necessary to face them as an adult to truly heal.

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2025-11-10 05:35