It: Welcome to Derry episode 8 was packed with huge moments, but one in particular has fans scratching their heads.
The following will dive into spoilers for the finale, so turn back now if you haven't seen the new episode yet!
Now, if you're still reading, then you'll know that, in episode 8, Pennywise reveals to Marge that she'll grow up to become Margaret Tozier, AKA the mother of Richie Tozier… AKA a member of the Losers' Club who is instrumental in killing Pennywise, as seen in It: Chapter Two (Finn Wolfhard plays young Richie and is seen in picture form in the finale, while Bill Hader plays adult Richie).
Pennywise is fully aware that Richie will help kill him, too, because he perceives the past, present, and the future as all happening at once (though he also comments that his death might be a birth). Naturally, that's raised a bunch of questions – why doesn't Marge warn her son about Pennywise, and why doesn't Pennywise do anything about his apparent death?
One fan has a pretty genius theory for the Marge and Richie question, though. In It: Chapter One, we see the other Losers get stalked by Pennywise and shown terrifying visions of what they fear the most, but Richie doesn't confront Pennywise properly until he goes to Neibolt Street and is faced with a room full of clowns, after earlier admitting that he's scared of them.
When one person questioned why Marge wouldn't warn Richie about Pennywise, one person pointed out: "She just focused on raising a very confident kid! Or maybe she did and that's why he was scared of clowns idk."
So, while Marge might not have directly told Richie about the ancient entity who'd one day come after him, she might have at least warned him to steer clear of clowns…
As for the other mysteries raised by this development, fans are already debating what it all means.
"I like the tie in but leaves me with so many extra questions and how will they tie this backwards into season 2 and 3," says one fan.
"I think basically if they wanted to, Pennywise could theoretically continue to go back in time to try and prevent his death. I wouldn't be surprised if we do see the Maturin at some point in the coming seasons to prevent this cycle. But it's honestly a pretty good way for them to continue doing prequels but technically sequels as well," says another person (Maturin is the giant cosmic turtle who opposes Pennywise in the books).
"He said 'stuck in one place, in one time.' The cage locked him in in so many more ways than just physical. Now that it was broken, Pennywise is now aware of his death, and I think the next two seasons are going to be him trying to prevent that fate," says another fan.
"So killing of Pennywise in It: Chapter Two is actually rebirth of Pennywise in the past. Giving It the opportunity to change its course of death. That's what I am getting. Does anyone have any other ideas," speculates another person.
"I think that Pennywise only became aware of his future when the General destroyed the pillar. I seem to remember in the finale some reference was made to him not just being restrained physically by the pillars. That could insinuate a metaphysical freedom once his chains were broken. So then all he had to do was draw out Margie, kill her and change his destiny," thinks another person.
We hopefully won't have too long to wait for answers, either. While It: Welcome to Derry season 2 hasn't been confirmed, the creators hope it will come sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best shows on HBO Max or all the upcoming Stephen King adaptations.
