The fourth episode of It: Welcome to Derry, titled “The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet’s Function,” finally dives deep into the dark mythology that connects Derry’s history, the Indigenous past, and the terrifying origins of Pennywise. Episode 4 marks the most ambitious chapter yet, introducing the Galloo, an ancient entity that ties together the storylines of It, The Shining, and Stephen King’s wider horror universe.
The Galloo: Pennywise’s Ancient Form
The episode unravels the mystery of the Galloo through a layered sequence that follows Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) — yes, the same Hallorann from The Shining — as he uses his psychic gift, “the Shining,” to access the memories of Taniel (Joshua Odjick), the nephew of Rose (Kimberly Guerrero). Rose, an Indigenous woman who carries sacred knowledge about Derry’s curse, guards the truth behind the entity haunting the town.
Inside Taniel’s memory, Hallorann witnesses the oral history of the Galloo, an ancient alien force that crash-landed on Earth millions of years ago, encased in a meteorite that shattered upon impact. The Galloo is revealed to be the original form of It, the shapeshifting evil that later manifests as Pennywise the Clown.
According to Taniel’s vision, the Indigenous tribes of the region initially found ways to contain the Galloo. They forged a dagger from the meteorite — the same weapon that later appears in It Chapter Two — and built pillars and barriers to trap the entity within the Western Wood.
However, this fragile balance was destroyed when settlers arrived, feeding the Galloo’s hunger and allowing it to grow stronger. As humans wandered into its territory, the creature began feeding on their fear, slowly evolving into the monstrous forms we recognize today — including the infamous clown.
How the Military and Hallorann Get Involved
The show introduces a chilling subplot involving the U.S. military, led by General Shaw (James Remar), who has known about Derry’s supernatural disturbances since childhood. Shaw’s obsession drives him to find and weaponize the entity, hoping to harness its power as a military tool.
He sends Hallorann to extract information from Taniel through psychic means. Using his powers, Hallorann dives into Taniel’s subconscious and retrieves the story of the Galloo. After the vision ends, Taniel cryptically tells him, “Follow the tunnels under the old well and you’ll find the pillars.”
That line directly points to the house on Neibolt Street, the same location central to It’s lore — the gateway to Pennywise’s lair. Now armed with this knowledge, the military believes it can track, study, and possibly control the entity. But as fans know, meddling with the Galloo’s power rarely ends well.
What the Galloo Means for Pennywise’s Origin
Through Taniel’s story, the episode connects every version of It, Pennywise, and the Galloo as one cosmic being — an ageless entity that feeds on fear and chaos. The show expands on Stephen King’s novel by grounding the monster’s myth in local Indigenous folklore, suggesting that Pennywise’s reign of terror is both otherworldly and deeply tied to Derry’s human history.
The Galloo’s transformation across eras — from alien god to demonic spirit to clown — mirrors how fear evolves through generations. What started as a celestial parasite feeding on primal terror has now adapted into something horrifyingly human.
The Galloo’s Role in the Future of the Series
With the military closing in on Derry’s dark heart, It: Welcome to Derry is setting up an explosive second half of the season. The revelation of the Galloo not only deepens the horror but also foreshadows an inevitable confrontation between human greed and supernatural evil.
Hallorann’s disturbing new side — seen when he invades Taniel’s mind — suggests that even those with good intentions may become corrupted by the Galloo’s influence. The promise of finding “the pillars” and uncovering the Neibolt Street tunnels hints at the rise of Pennywise’s true form in the coming episodes.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Galloo in It: Welcome to Derry?
The Galloo is an ancient alien entity that crash-landed on Earth millions of years ago. It’s revealed to be the true origin of It — the same being that later manifests as Pennywise.
Q2: How is Dick Hallorann connected to the Galloo?
Hallorann uses his psychic “Shining” ability to uncover the Indigenous legend of the Galloo through Taniel’s memories, revealing Pennywise’s ancient roots.
Q3: How does the Galloo tie into Stephen King’s original It novel?
In King’s 1986 book, It is described as an interdimensional creature that arrived on Earth in a meteor. The series expands on that lore, linking it with Derry’s Indigenous history.
Q4: What did Taniel mean by “Follow the tunnels under the old well”?
He was referring to the tunnels beneath Neibolt Street, the site where Pennywise’s lair resides and where the military now believes it can locate the entity.
Q5: Where can viewers watch It: Welcome to Derry?
The series is available to stream exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max).
Conclusion
Episode 4 of It: Welcome to Derry pulls back the curtain on Pennywise’s terrifying origin, revealing that the clown’s evil stretches back to an ancient alien force known as the Galloo. By blending cosmic horror, Indigenous myth, and psychological tension, the show cements itself as one of the most ambitious Stephen King adaptations yet. As the military prepares to confront the monster beneath Derry, the coming episodes promise blood, tragedy, and revelations that will forever change how fans view Pennywise’s world. For more It: Welcome to Derry updates, breakdowns, and weekly episode analysis, visit TrendingNewsBuzz.com.
