IT: Welcome to Derry | "Now You See It" Recap & Review | "The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet's Function" Preview

*SPOILERS AHEAD

Episode 3 of It: Welcome to Derry continues to turn up the tension while finally connecting more of the dots between this chilling prequel and the iconic It films — and even other corners of the Stephen King universe. Fans of the network know we’re suckers for a good flashback, and this episode delivered exactly that, offering a deeper look into the terrifying roots of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.

We’re now starting to see just how this series ties into It (2017/2019) and even The Shining. From visual nods to familiar names, Derry’s darkness feels like part of a much larger King tapestry. A standout moment comes when a young Francis Shaw — yes, the same General Shaw we’ve seen in the present timeline — has a horrifying encounter with Pennywise at a fair that rolled into town. The sequence is unsettling, nostalgic, and brilliantly staged, reminding us of just how long Pennywise’s influence has haunted Derry.

What really makes this episode shine (pun intended) is its exploration of Pennywise’s many forms. Not only do we get a haunting glimpse of his origins, but we also meet one of his most disturbing manifestations yet — a skeletal, one-eyed creature fans online have already dubbed “the Skeleton Man.” It’s pure nightmare fuel and a chilling reminder of how adaptable and ancient this evil truly is.

In a surprising and thrilling crossover moment, the episode also hints at “the shine” — that psychic gift we first learned about in The Shining. When Dick Halloran touches a slingshot that once belonged to a child victim, he’s pulled into Pennywise’s lair and experiences a horrific vision. There, we see yet another version of the clown, suggesting that Pennywise’s reach extends beyond Derry, beyond time — perhaps even across King’s multiverse.

Meanwhile, the young crew’s storyline continues to drive the emotional core. Lilly, freshly returned from Juniper Hill, is determined to help Ronnie clear her father’s name. Teaming up with Will and Rich, the group performs a séance in a cemetery — and that’s when all hell breaks loose. What starts as a failed attempt to contact spirits quickly spirals into chaos as the ghostly figures of Phil, Susie, and Teddy emerge, zombie-like and enraged. In true King fashion, the kids fight their fear and use their cameras to capture photographic proof of the supernatural.

But the real kicker comes when Will wanders off near a crypt. He steps inside, camera in hand, and captures something unforgettable — an image of all the lost children. And among them, standing in the shadows, is the figure we’ve been waiting for… the real Pennywise, in his infamous clown form.

Episode 3 perfectly balances mystery, horror, and nostalgia. It deepens the mythology while giving long-time fans plenty to chew on — from the nods to The Shining to the chilling new lore surrounding Pennywise’s shape-shifting evil. If the first two episodes were eerie setups, this one kicks the door wide open to a full-on Stephen King nightmare.

The clown is back. The connections are growing. And Derry has never felt more alive — or more haunted.

Episode 4 looks to dive deeper into the supernatural fallout from the séance. The kids’ photos of the cemetery spirits spark interest — and fear — across Derry, especially when one of the images appears to move on its own. Meanwhile, General Shaw begins to recall more of his childhood encounter at the fair, leading him back to an abandoned well site that longtime fans will instantly recognize. And as for Pennywise? The previews tease laughter echoing from beneath the streets… and a chilling voice whispering, “Time to float.”

If Episode 3 opened the door, Episode 4 might just pull us all down into the dark.