Archive · 17 Nov 2025
IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 4 Details Pennywise's Extraterrestrial Origins
In a new episode of the show 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' a character named Dick Hallorann learns a big secret about the scary clown, Pennywise.
Dick uses his special mind powers to talk to a Native American boy named Taniel.
Taniel explains that Pennywise didn't start on Earth.
He came from outer space, inside a star that fell millions of years ago, even before people were around.
When the star broke, Pennywise got out and started causing trouble.
The first people who met him were the native tribes.
They tried to trap him using special things from the fallen star, burying them to keep him locked up.
But Pennywise got stronger and eventually escaped.
Taniel reveals that these trapping pillars are hidden underground near an old well, which is also where Pennywise lives.
Episode 4 of 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' titled 'The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet’s Function,' focuses on Dick Hallorann investigating Pennywise's origins.
Hallorann uses psychic abilities to communicate with Taniel, who reveals Pennywise is an alien entity from outer space, bound within a falling star.
Pennywise arrived on Earth millions of years ago and first interacted with indigenous tribes before breaking free from their containment efforts.
The tribes attempted to contain Pennywise using 13 sacred pillars made from fallen stars, buried beneath the Western Wood.
The episode concludes with the revelation that these pillars, which contain Pennywise, can be found under an old well.
- Who
- Dick Hallorann, Taniel, Pennywise
- What
- Revealed Pennywise's origins as an extraterrestrial entity and the historical attempts to contain it.
- When
- In episode 4 of 'IT: Welcome to Derry', set 27 years before the events of the movie IT.
- Where
- Earth, specifically the Western Wood and surrounding areas.
- Why
- Dick Hallorann used his psychic abilities to learn about Pennywise's origins and how it was previously contained.
Show's Creators' Perspective
Audience/Press Comparison
Inspiration and Scope
Show's Creators' Perspective
Andy Muschietti stated the primary inspiration was their love for Stephen King's book, aiming to illuminate cryptic events within the story's interludes and revealing that the known story is just the 'tip of the iceberg.'
Audience/Press Comparison
The show has been frequently compared to 'Stranger Things,' a comparison the creators do not directly engage with or confirm, focusing instead on their specific adaptation goals.
- Show Title
- IT: Welcome to Derry
- Episode Number
- 4
- Episode Title
- The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet’s Function
- Creators
- Andy and Barbara Muschietti
- Character Focus
- Dick Hallorann
- Pennywise Origin Revelation
- Extraterrestrial, bound inside a falling star
- Containment Method
- 13 sacred pieces from fallen stars buried as pillars
- Total Episodes
- 8