It: Welcome to Derry flashback sparks complaints about one major character in Pennywise’s backstory

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A recent flashback in the seventh episode of ‘It: Welcome to Derry‘ has sparked criticism from viewers, who are unhappy with how a key character from Pennywise’s past was portrayed as the season finale approaches.

The horror series delved deeper into Pennywise’s origins, showing how it terrorized people during the 1965 Cold War era. It also cleverly linked to other Stephen King stories by featuring the character Dick Hallorann (played by Chris Chalk) before the events of ‘The Shining’ and ‘Doctor Sleep’.

The latest episode of the show finally depicted the tragic Black Spot fire, a historical event where a racist crowd burned down a bar, killing many Black people as they tried to lynch Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider). While this devastating event was the main focus, the episode’s creator and director, Andy Muschietti, also included a brief scene at the beginning.

The second-to-last episode of the show began in 1908 at a circus, but viewers have expressed concerns about how a key character was portrayed in the backstory of Pennywise.

Fans want justice for Bob Gray in It: Welcome to Derry

Viewers are expressing a lot of sympathy for Bob Gray (Bill Skarsgard) after seeing the flashback at the beginning of It: Welcome to Derry, Episode 7. The episode reveals that the man who becomes Pennywise the Dancing Clown is actually a single father doing his best to raise his daughter, Ingrid (Emma-Leigh Cullum), after the tragic loss of her mother.

Bob Gray struggles with his job as a clown, turning to drinking and smoking to get through performances, even though kids enjoy his act – and this is what draws the attention of a sinister entity. Disguising itself as a child, the entity asks Gray for help, then lures him into the woods. All that’s left behind is a blood-stained handkerchief, discovered by the rest of the circus crew.

Viewers were unexpectedly moved by a recent scene, as the show and movies had previously led them to believe Bob Gray was a bad guy. It turns out he wasn’t, and many fans expressed sympathy online. One person tweeted “Justice for Bob Gray,” while another wrote, “It’s tragic how we often forget Bob Gray was also a victim, and that his image was misused for harmful purposes.”

One X user commented that Bob Gray appeared to be a great dad and performer, but his positive energy was seemingly taken over by the character Pennywise. Another person simply described him as a loving father who just wanted to make his daughter happy.

On Reddit, a viewer expressed surprise that the backstory of Bob Gray was revealed so early in “It: Welcome to Derry.” They thought his story would be saved for the final season, as the show is designed to move backward in time, exploring events 27 years prior with each season. The early reveal makes it seem less likely that his full story will be explored in later seasons.

It’s especially heartbreaking to learn that Ingrid Kersh, as an adult, actually helps Pennywise continue his terrifying attacks. She deliberately creates trouble in Derry, hoping to see her father again. Sadly, this plan backfires, and she becomes another victim trapped in It’s cycle of fear.

Before the finale of ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ airs, learn about the changes made to the ending, the reason for the show’s time jump, and which moment particularly frightened Stephen King.

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2025-12-08 20:19