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Pennywise's impact on the children of the Derry series molds them throughout their adult lives, transforming them into the exact individuals who keep the town's pattern of animosity alive. The creature finds easy targets on kids from broken households — youngsters who frequently grow up to replicate the identical behaviors as their parents. However, the Hanlon household distinguishes itself as one of the few households that remains intact, which could clarify why Mike Hanlon, even after electing to remain in Derry, persists as the only Loser who doesn't completely succumb under Pennywise's sway.

The Hanlon Family's Unique Resilience

In episode 4 of the series, Leroy Hanlon finally becomes more aware of the supernatural forces surrounding the community, particularly when the entity begins tormenting his son, Will, during their angling excursion. The Hanlon family comprises a small number of grown-ups who are aware that something is amiss with the town, especially the father, who was revealed to be receptive to psychic abilities when he was capable of sensing a fellow psychic's use of it in episode 3. Later, he sees one of the clown's trademark balloons outside his residence. This gift, coupled with his failure to feel fear, combined with the base of his household, could be why he's able to see the entity's manifestations. However, consider if that shining is generational, and one of the reasons Mike Hanlon is among the few adults in Derry who resisted succumbing to the town's malevolence?

Will is part of the collective of children at his educational institution being terrorized by Pennywise. All his school friends come from broken homes, with parents who refuse to accept they're being haunted. The cause he is being pursued is because of the cruelty of the town, combined with his likely receptiveness to psychic abilities, which renders him vulnerable. This family are fundamentally outsiders in Derry during the early sixties, which contributes towards the household sensing something is off about the town from the onset. Additionally, they possess a solid base that isn't fractured, in contrast to the residents who come from the town, with relationships that have decayed within.

Historical Context

Drawing from the original book, we understand the juvenile Will will end up at the Black Spot, where the psychic will save him from a blaze that the local KKK members of the community will ignite. In the recent movie, we see that Will has a boy named Mike and that Will ultimately dies in a fire, with Leroy surviving his own son and adopting his grandchild. The official story in the film is that the parents were on drugs, but now that we see him in the series, that's hard to believe. Maybe the timid youth, once he grew up, leaned into alcohol to rid himself of the hauntings, or perhaps the corrupt environment affected him first, with the hate group ultimately completing the task it began years ago. Whether through the terror of Pennywise or through the cruelty of the town, seeded by Pennywise, the creature in the end gets the final victory on him.

The Father's Evolution

These occurrences would clarify how Leroy changes so radically from what we witness in the first film and the prequel. In his older age, he seems bitter and much harsher with his parenting. Since he survived his own offspring, it's understandable to observe such a profound shift. However, his statements hold greater significance since we are aware he's witnessed the clown's activities and the effects they wrought upon his son. In the opening scene of the movie, we see Mike hesitate to use a stunning device on a animal at Leroy's farm. Leroy chastises him for hesitating and provides an analogy that results in a survival-of-the-fittest situation.

“There are two places you can be in this world. You can be out here like us, or you can be in there,” he states as he points to the sheep. “You waste time hemming and hawing, and another is going to decide for you. But you won't know it until you experience that bolt in your head.”

Looking back, this could represent a piece of foreshadowing, a lesson he wishes he had told his own child. Maybe he wishes he had acted differently in his youth, but for certain factors, he was unable to avoid the repellent attraction of Derry.