The eighth episode of Welcome to Derry commences its thrilling finale with the town shrouded in a thick fog, as Pennywise roams freely, wielding full control over the school. He forces the children to gather in the auditorium, where he mercilessly mutilates one of the teachers before their very eyes, leaving them all in a state of shock and horror.
But the nightmare doesn't end there; as the kids are entranced by Pennywise's Deadlights, only three remain safe - Ronnie, Lilly, and Marge, who are hiding out at their secret hideout. As they discover the gruesome corpse at the school and follow a trail of Missing Person posters, they realize with a sinking heart that Will has also been taken. With corpses littering the path, they seize a milk truck and chase after Pennywise with a vengeance.
Meanwhile, Leroy is being taunted by Pennywise over the phone about Will's fate. He knows he can't go it alone and needs Dick's help. However, Dick is still haunted by the ghosts that have invaded his room, wielding a handgun and blaming Leroy for his mind being torn open. Eventually, he relents and agrees to join Leroy, but their plan is thwarted when General Shaw finds out they're together and prepares to move his forces to stop them.
The haste was palpable as Leroy and Dick raced back to Charlotte's abode, their hearts pounding with the urgency to find a solution. Rose and Taniel's mention of the enigmatic dagger held the promise of a miraculous escape for Will from his impending doom. We all knew Lilly had it, but now, the race was on to locate it before it was too late.
On the southern bank of the river, a towering pine stood as a sentinel, its dead branches reaching towards the sky like a testament to its age. It was the farthest point where the dagger's energy could still resonate with the other pillars and restore the cage. The dagger, though, could serve as a pillar only if buried, just like the others. And here lay Dick's task—to locate it, while Rose might have the key to quiet the voice that haunted him.
With a concoction in hand, Dick shared the dire news: Lilly had the dagger, and the group set out on a perilous quest to track them down. Meanwhile, the trio of girls found themselves in a predicament when their milk truck crashed, forcing them to continue on foot.
As they journeyed, Rose imparted wisdom on the group—the dagger was a powerful artifact, and the farther it was taken from its rightful place, the more damage it would inflict on their minds. It would fight back with an unimaginable force, turning its wielders into the embodiment of the One Ring from Lord of the Rings.
Lilly's mind began to spiral out of control, and she eventually succumbed to the dagger's influence until Marge took control of the precious artifact for herself. The group agreed to switch it en route, fearing its effects would overwhelm them. But alas, they had already reached the lake.
The dagger began to glow, and they rushed to the front of the clown convoy, determined to bring Will back from his captivity. And in a moment of revelation, we learned that Marge was actually Richie Tozier's mother—thus she was safe for the rest of the episode. Just like that, Pennywise froze in place, and the kids were released from their entranced state.
The fate of the dagger hung in the balance as Leroy and his comrades made a daring escape in the van, their wheels slicing through the icy terrain. It was clear that Dick had used his extraordinary powers to lure Pennywise away, buying enough time to save Marge. Taniel and Leroy embarked on a perilous mission to deposit the dagger in the deadwood, but their journey was cut short by General Shaw and his henchmen, who opened fire on the ice. Taniel paid the ultimate price, while Leroy, on the brink of capture, entrusted Will with the task of placing the dagger.
With the other kids by his side, Will bravely made his way to the tree, but the dagger seemed to resist its final resting place, all while Dick was interrupted in his attempt to hypnotize Pennywise. The entity faced off against General Shaw, who recognized him instantly and put an end to their confrontation with a single blow. Thanks to Leroy's heroic sacrifice and Rich's timely return from the dead, along with the Native American's guidance, the dagger was finally placed in the deadwood, bringing an end to Pennywise's reign of terror.
After the chaos subsided, a somber atmosphere descended as everyone attended Richie's funeral. Dick witnessed Rich's spirit in attendance, embracing his friends one last time. As for Dick, he bid farewell to Derry, having put an end to his battles there. The root he ingested earlier had finally brought peace to his troubled mind, hopefully for good.
The story of Welcome to Derry concluded with Hank's departure from town, his fate sealed despite his efforts to stay. Leroy, too, had fulfilled his duties in the military and was honorably discharged. Rose extended an invitation to Leroy and Char to join them in their quest to release the pillars, a call that Charlotte eagerly accepted. Meanwhile, Ronnie and Will shared a tender kiss, sealing their bond.
In Juniper Hills, Ingrid remained for 26 years, her presence a testament to the enduring power of It. A flash-forward to 1988, coinciding with the IT movies, brought a surprise cameo from Beverly, who received a chilling reminder from Ingrid that in Derry, no one truly dies. The story ended on a note of both closure and continuity, leaving room for the future while paying homage to the past.
