In It: Welcome to Derry episode 4, Pennywise does not fully appear in his iconic clown form. Instead, the show gives us strong hints about his origin and presence, building tension rather than revealing him outright.
Does Pennywise appear in episode 4 of Welcome to Derry?
In this episode, the focus shifts to uncovering how Pennywise — or rather, the evil entity known as the Galloo — came to be tied to Derry. Through Dick Hallorann’s psychic powers, he probes the memories of Taniel, a member of the Shokopiwah tribe, and learns an ancient legend.
According to the tribe’s myth, a malevolent spirit fell from the sky inside a star, and when that star shattered, the spirit was released. Over generations, the tribe collected shards of the fallen star, carving them into a dagger. Those meteorite fragments are later used to form a barrier, a kind of prison that keeps the monster confined to a certain area.
In a grown-up Taniel’s vision, Hallorann is directed to tunnels under the old well, and the memory reveals another familiar landmark — the Neibolt Street house, which is deeply connected to Pennywise lore. The episode ends on this ominous note, pointing toward the creature’s lair, but crucially, we do not see Pennywise as the dancing clown yet.
Why isn’t Pennywise fully revealed in episode 4?
The creators of the series are deliberately building suspense. As co-creator Andy Muschietti explained, they’re using a “Jaws effect” — hiding Pennywise in plain sight to let dread and mystery grow. Rather than rushing to show the clown, the show teases his other forms and slowly unearths his ancient origin.
This slow-burn approach makes his eventual appearance more impactful. For now, episode 4 is about explaining why Pennywise is bound to Derry, rather than showing him wreaking havoc in his full form.
A Story That Feels Bigger Than Just Fear
Episode 4 doesn’t just rely on shock — it brings in myth, ancestry, and a cosmic backstory. By diving into Taniel’s tribal memories and the legend of the Galloo, the show grounds Pennywise’s terror in something ancient, almost sacred. The way Hallorann uses his “Shining” ability to explore these memories turns psychological horror into a nearly spiritual journey.
Imagine Taniel speaking of a time before people, when a star fell from the sky, and that star was home to an evil spirit. That’s not just a monster story — it’s a myth rooted in land, history, and identity. When the episode ends with the old Neibolt House in the distance, it ties those myths directly to the horror we already know from Stephen King’s universe.
