HBO Max's "It: Welcome to Derry" delves into the chilling world of Stephen King's Derry, Maine, presenting a complex narrative that intertwines supernatural horror with deeply grounded, human terrors of 1962 America. Episode 4, titled "The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet's Function," amplifies both dimensions, notably through the expanded role of Charlotte Hanlon, an original character whose journey anchors the series' exploration of systemic racism amidst the escalating threat of an ancient entity.

Charlotte Hanlon, portrayed by Taylour Paige, emerges as a pivotal figure. As the wife of Major Leroy Hanlon and mother of Will Hanlon, she arrives in Derry after her family's military relocation from Louisiana to Maine. Her past as an active participant in the Civil Rights movement in the South shaped her values and sense of community through activism. In Derry, however, she finds herself isolated, with limited avenues for her passionate advocacy. Episode 4 showcases Charlotte in action, as she meticulously investigates Hank Grogan's case, quickly discerning that he is being scapegoated for the town's missing children. Her insights underscore the pervasive racism that, despite its different manifestations, exists just as insidiously in the North as it did in the South.

Paige describes her connection to the role, revealing her initial apprehension due to her personal fear of horror, yet expressing a profound appreciation for the show's creators, Andy and Barbara Muschietti. She embraces Charlotte's "Civil Rights detective" persona in Episode 4, which allows the character's integrity, morale, and relentless spirit to shine. Charlotte's activism in Derry, while pure, is also a response to the town's isolating atmosphere and her desire to aid another Black family facing injustice. Her interactions with Stephen Rider, who plays Hank Grogan, particularly in the jail scenes, poignantly expose the era's systemic racism, where the perceived danger of an interracial relationship could overshadow the gravity of other accusations.

Meanwhile, the supernatural threat to Derry's children intensifies. The young protagonists develop photos of a clown, but Chief Bowers dismisses their claims, seeing only a statue. This fuels their realization that the entity chooses to toy with them rather than outright kill them. Lilly, finding a confidante in nurse Ingrid, learns of past disappearances in the 1930s, albeit framed as runaways, yet Ingrid encourages Lilly to persist in her search for the truth. Rose, a local, warns Charlotte about the peculiar dangers of Derry, advising her to protect her loved ones. These warnings prove prescient when Will, expressing fear of something pursuing him, is later nearly drowned by the entity, which takes the terrifying form of a burned version of his father, Leroy. Leroy saves him, but not before they both witness a sinister red balloon.

Charlotte's persistence eventually gains her access to Hank Grogan, whom she advises on legal maneuvers to fight his prejudicial treatment. Hank's confession reveals a deeply rooted societal horror: he was with a married white woman that night, fearing the severe consequences more than the murder charges. Lilly's tragic narrative continues when a seemingly apologetic Marge plans to humiliate her. In a shocking turn, Marge suffers a horrifying attack where her eyes bulge, pop, and she brutally mutilates herself, making it appear as though Lilly is the assailant. Concurrently, Dick Hallorann experiences unsettling visions and learns from Leroy about Will's encounter. Through a shared memory with Taniel, Hallorann uncovers the ancient origins of the entity – a malevolent spirit from a fallen star, caged by 13 sacred shards buried in a circle around the woods. This revelation ultimately leads Hallorann to the dilapidated Neibolt house.

The show's overarching strategy regarding Pennywise, the iconic killer clown, is a calculated slow burn. While Bill Skarsgård's portrayal in the films was critically acclaimed, "It: Welcome to Derry" deliberately teases the entity's most familiar form rather than front-loading its appearance. The entity is a shapeshifter, preying on victims' deepest fears—manifesting as a one-eyed man, a burnt father, a menacing lamp, a pickled octopus, or even a winged demon baby. Pennywise himself is glimpsed only in fleeting moments: animated in the opening credits, as glowing eyes and Skarsgård's voice in the sewers in Episode 3, a momentary flash in a photo, and a silhouette through Will's telescope, always heralded by red balloons. This gradual revelation builds profound anticipation, deepening the terror and allowing for richer character development and exploration of the "human condition" horrors. By prioritizing layered storytelling and tragic characters like Lilly, the series ensures that when Pennywise finally fully emerges, the stakes for these new friends will be devastatingly high, making the wait entirely worthwhile.