In Episode 5 of It: Welcome to Derry, the military storms the sewers under Neibolt Street just as the kids, led by Matty, venture in. Matty’s return shocks everyone, but his true nature is revealed. Hallorann confronts his repressed past, and Lilly finds a glowing shard that could be the key to fighting Pennywise. With sacrifice, fear, and supernatural horror all colliding, this episode raises the stakes like never before.
It: Welcome to Derry – Episode 5 Recap & Analysis
Neibolt Street Beckons — And Fear Answers
In this episode, the military, led by General Shaw, launches a full-scale invasion into the tunnels beneath Neibolt Street. At the same time, the kids — including Lilly, Will, Ronnie, and Rich — decide to go down into the sewers themselves after Matty reappears, claiming he has escaped and that Phil is still alive.
What starts as a hopeful rescue turns into a trap: Matty’s real identity as Pennywise is revealed, and the horror intensifies. The entity lures them in, twisting their perception, and leading them deeper into a nightmare that’s both familiar and more sinister than ever.
Hallorann’s Mind: Trauma, the “Box,” and Dark Memories
Dick Hallorann’s storyline in this episode delivers one of the most psychologically eerie moments yet. Deep in the tunnels, he’s forced to relive painful memories — especially involving his abusive grandfather and a locked box he’s kept inside his mind for years.
This box metaphor isn’t just symbolic. It represents all the trauma he’s tried to contain. But Pennywise — in his brutal, manipulative way — forces Hallorann to open it, unleashing the repressed horrors he’s locked away. The toll on his psyche is massive, and the episode ends with Hallorann emerging shaken, mentally cracked open.
Lilly, the Glowing Dagger, and a Shard of Hope
Lilly, separated from her friends in the sewers, faces Pennywise alone. Just when it feels like all is lost, she spots a glowing dagger lying in shallow water — the shard dropped earlier by Taniel. This isn’t just a prop: it seems to have real power.
When Pennywise comes close, the dagger glows, and the creature is forced to hesitate. Lilly grasps it, and for the first time, she holds more than fear: she holds a weapon. It’s a big moment — the shard may be their only hope.
Sacrifice and Loss: Pauly’s Final Act
As chaos erupts underground, a heartbreaking sacrifice happens. Pauly Russo, caught in the crossfire, pushes Leroy’s son Will out of the line of fire — taking a bullet meant for him. It’s a gutting moment, and the emotional weight of his death hits hard.
This loss underscores just how real and dangerous Pennywise’s threat is, and how the adults in Derry are paying a price too.
Secrets, Alliances & Power Plays Above Ground
While the kids and military clash below, power dynamics shift above. Rose, Taniel’s aunt, gives him the star-shard dagger (the same magical piece Lilly later picks up), warning him that only he can truly use it. She pushes for him to join the raid, hinting that his role is far more important than the others realize.
Meanwhile, Leroy moves his family to the base for protection, recognizing that things in Derry are spiraling. General Shaw’s true motives — control over the pillars that imprison Pennywise — feel more dangerous than ever.
The Big Reveal: Pennywise Returns
This episode marks a turning point: Pennywise finally appears in its clown form. But the reveal isn’t just for shock value — it’s deeply tied to manipulation and identity. Matty’s return wasn’t real; it was Pennywise wearing his skin.
The creature uses fear, illusion, and deception to gain power. Its reappearance is more than a jump scare — it’s a calculated act to regain hold over Derry.
Themes That Hit Hard
- Trauma & Memory
Hallorann’s “box” and what comes out of it feels like a powerful metaphor for mental suffering — the kind of pain most people hide, not realize is poisoning them from within. - Sacrifice & Courage
Pauly’s death isn’t meaningless. It shows that standing against terror has a cost — but that some are willing to pay it. - Power of the Old
The star-shard dagger hints at ancient magic, suggesting that the key to fighting Pennywise isn’t modern weapons, but something deeper — something elemental. - Manipulation & Identity
Pennywise’s shapeshifting keeps the fear alive. By impersonating Matty, it plays on trust, love, and grief — showing just how twisted and powerful it is.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
- With the dagger in Lilly’s hands, she may become a central figure in resisting Pennywise.
- Hallorann’s psyche is broken open, which could make him either more vulnerable or more powerful.
- The military’s real mission may not be containment — it might be control. Shaw’s ambition feels more dangerous than ever.
- The cost of fighting Pennywise is growing. With Pauly gone, the stakes are no longer just about crossing the sewer — they’re about life and death.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why did Matty come back?
Because it’s not actually Matty — it’s Pennywise in disguise, using his form to lure the kids into its trap.
Q: What is the glowing dagger Lilly finds?
The dagger is a shard from something powerful (likely of cosmic or magical origin) that seems to repel Pennywise. Its glow suggests it might be the key to fighting It.
Q: What happens to Hallorann in this episode?
He confronts his traumatic past, forcibly opens a mental “lockbox” he’s kept sealed for years, and is deeply shaken by what comes out of it.
Q: Who dies in Episode 5?
Pauly Russo sacrifices himself, taking a bullet meant for Will — a deeply emotional moment that underlines the danger the characters face.
Q: What does Pennywise’s return mean for Derry?
It means the threat is real, powerful, and deeply personal. Pennywise isn’t just back — it’s growing stronger, more manipulative, and very dangerous.
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