IT: Welcome To Derry Episode 3’s Flashback Explained By Stars

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Episode 3 of ‘It: Welcome to Derry‘ delves deeper into the connection between General Francis Shaw (James Remar) and Rose (Kimberly Guerrero). A flashback shows they share a history that goes back to their childhood, and that they significantly impacted each other’s lives.

The story flashes back to 1908, when Shaw and Rose were twelve years old. After spending a day at a fair, Francis has a frightening encounter with one of It’s monstrous forms in the woods, but Rose manages to save him, and they both escape. She explains that the creature is trapped within the woods. This shared experience brings them close together, and they begin to develop romantic feelings. However, when Shaw’s father gets a new job that takes them away from Derry, they lose contact. As an adult, Shaw has completely forgotten Rose and It until he returns to his hometown.

Remar and Guerrero recently spoke with ScreenRant about the long and complex history between their characters. They discussed what it would be like for Rose and Shaw to reunite after many years. Guerrero shared how her character has changed and how Shaw impacted that transformation, explaining that Rose always had an inner drive, but seeing Shaw again was a surprising event that altered her path.

Rose’s strength and role as a keeper of ancestral wisdom and protector all began this summer. She felt called to this responsibility, but wasn’t prepared for falling in love – it took her completely by surprise, like a first romance.

Guerrero described how past loves and disappointments shaped her character’s feelings. She also noted that Shaw’s departure, combined with the challenges of being a teenager, was particularly difficult for Rose.

At that age, kids are experiencing hormonal changes and beginning to understand the differences between boys and girls. For a young person to suddenly develop a close bond with someone new, especially after going through a life-threatening experience together, can be deeply traumatizing.

When he left, he left a hole in her heart she didn’t think could ever be filled. She realized she couldn’t pursue her responsibilities – her love for her community, Derry, and her duties – if she were deeply in love with someone. She has plenty of love for her family and community, but has chosen to remain single her whole life. So, his return is a complete shock.

Remar considered how a key experience early in his characters’ lives continued to affect them even fifty years later. He stressed the importance of the connection they made through a difficult, shared past.

James Remar explained that the connection between these two young people, who came from different racial backgrounds and bonded through a shared, traumatic experience only she fully grasped, deeply impacted the story’s development. He feels that this storyline effectively guides the narrative in the direction the creators envisioned, which he considers a great achievement.

It highlights how powerfully our childhood experiences continue to shape our present lives, even decades later. I believe it’s a completely fundamental connection.

James Remar and Kimberly Guerrero Talk Character Growth In It: Welcome to Derry

ScreenRant asked what Rose might be feeling when she sees him again, now that he’s working for the government. They wanted to know what her thoughts are when they meet up after his change in allegiance.

Kimberly Guerrero believes this woman has been closely watching his career. She describes her as a very smart and perceptive person who understands what’s happening in the world. Guerrero thinks she saw something special in him, and that shared quality is what brought them together. Both are natural leaders with a unique perspective on life and their place in it. They’ve both achieved a level of influence that’s rare, and Guerrero believes they recognized this shared destiny in each other.

It’s not surprising to her that he’s become a three-star general, a leader in the American military during the Cold War. However, she wonders if the conversations they had together helped him develop a strong sense of compassion and a commitment to peace. She hopes he still holds those values close to his heart, even while working within such a large and powerful organization.

At first, I thought this character was just a tough guy who would cause problems. But then, seeing his vulnerability and the pain he carries, I started to really root for him and even feel affection for him.

James Remar remarked on a line – “Crack in his heart form” – calling it beautifully poetic. He was pleased it resonated and felt it captured the sentiment perfectly.

We’re always striving for growth, and life isn’t simply black and white. People are complex, with many different sides to them – we’re not just heroes or villains. It’s wonderful when something connects with you on that deeper, more nuanced level, acknowledging those complexities.

James Remar and Kimberly Guerrero’s Love For Stephen King

It must be amazing to work on a Stephen King-inspired set like this one, and as a viewer, it’s full of hidden details! Was there anything on set that particularly impressed you?

It was really exciting to hear the name Dick Halloran again. It’s great knowing there’s a character who appears across different parts of this universe, even continuing on in other stories for years to come. I really appreciate how that creates a sense of connection between them, and I think that’s the most effective kind of storytelling – when it makes you feel linked to everything.

Finding out Dick Halloran was nearby and that I was his commander? That was incredibly exciting. It really made me happy.

Kimberly Guerrero described an amazing experience arriving on set. She was staying in Port Hope, Ontario – the town used as the fictional Derry in the show – and while walking to work, she passed all the classic cars used for filming. She was completely surprised to see the actual bus from The Shawshank Redemption parked there, and felt like that moment perfectly captured the atmosphere of Derry.

One of the first things you notice is the amazing attention to detail in the background characters – they’re all dressed perfectly for 1962. Then, getting to step inside Secondhand Rose, a really important location in ‘IT: Chapter Two’ where Stephen King’s character works, was incredible. Actually standing where he stood, behind the counter, was a really cool experience, and it happened on my very first day. It truly felt like being welcomed to the town of Derry.

ScreenRant: What was your first exposure to anything Stephen King, and which is your favorite?

I first discovered Stephen King through the movie adaptation of ‘The Shining.’ After seeing it, I started reading his novels, including ‘The Stand’ and ‘IT’ relatively soon after they were released. While ‘The Shining’ novel was a quick read compared to his others, it really had a huge impact on me.

The book explores a powerful idea: how objects can seem to come alive due to a dark, fear-based energy. This theme of overcoming evil with love and innocence appears repeatedly in his writing. It’s more than just horror; it’s a thought-provoking look at what it means to be human, and I find his work truly exceptional.

I agree completely. The writing is excellent, and combining that quality with the popular horror genre creates a really compelling mix of entertainment and strong character development. It’s a truly exciting experience.

I think the first movie that really stuck with me was Carrie – both the book and the film. I distinctly remember being totally lost during the climax, just thinking, “What is going on?!” But if I had to pick a favorite, it’d probably be Stand By Me. Growing up in rural Oklahoma, in a small town called Idabell, that movie just felt like my life. I spent my childhood around the railroad tracks, so seeing those kids on bikes, having adventures… it resonated deeply. It felt like my story. It really captured that sense of growing up, of facing difficult things – we’d probably call it trauma now – and figuring out when, or even if, you share those secrets with your friends. It’s a beautiful film about connection and navigating life’s challenges together.

James Remar: Cujo scared the hell out of me.

Kimberly Guerrero: Cujo was terrifying.

James Remar explains that there are several classic story types, and ‘Cujo’ falls into the category of people struggling against the forces of nature. It’s a particularly bleak story about a ferocious dog and a seemingly impossible situation. The story is unsettling because dogs are typically seen as loyal companions, making the events in ‘Cujo’ all the more disturbing.

It: Welcome to Derry releases new episodes every Sunday at 9:00 PM ET and 6:00 PM PT on HBO.

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2025-11-10 06:22