The world stands on the edge of all-out war because of one fake video. In the latest episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea, the delicate talks between humanity and the ancient sea race known as the Sea Devils completely collapse. What begins as a high-stakes underwater meeting ends with a manipulated video that spreads global panic and turns a potential ally into a wanted fugitive.
The third and fourth episodes, titled “The Deep” and “The Witch of the Waterfall,” show the consequences of a failed diplomatic mission and a targeted misinformation campaign. With the series airing in the UK and coming globally to Disney+ in 2026, these episodes change everything for the show’s main characters.
What Happened in the Underwater Meeting?
In Episode 3, UNIT negotiator Barclay leads a team deep below the ocean’s surface to meet with Salt, the representative of the sea-dwelling Homo Aqua, often called Sea Devils. The mission is tense from the start, filled with pressure and fear. Upon arrival, Salt welcomes Barclay and his team into a beautiful, glowing underwater city, explaining the ordered society of her people.
However, the meeting is a trap. A member of the human delegation, Ted, is revealed to be a spy. He activates a sonic device, causing an explosion that kills almost everyone present. Only Barclay and Salt escape. At the exact same moment, back on land, UNIT leader Kate Lethbridge-Stewart survives a sniper attack, but her partner, Ibrahim, sacrifices himself to save her.
“The episode closes with shock, loss, and zero sense of safety,” notes one recap of the chaotic ending.
How One Fake Video Changed Everything
Episode 4 begins with the immediate fallout. Before Barclay and Salt can explain what truly happened underwater, a fabricated video spreads across global news networks. The deepfake shows Salt threatening Earth with war, taking responsibility for the underwater attack.
The video has an instant and dangerous effect. General Oscar Gunsberg uses it to push for immediate military action, pressuring a hesitant Prime Minister. Public opinion turns against the Sea Devils. Salt is captured by UNIT and treated as a prisoner of war, while Barclay is intensely questioned. Trust between the species is destroyed in minutes.
Barclay, believing in Salt’s innocence, makes a drastic choice. As she is transported under guard, he hijacks the vehicle, crashing it into London’s River Thames to free her. This act makes him a fugitive, but he is convinced it is the only way to prevent a wider war.
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Who is Pulling the Strings?
The episodes reveal that the conflict is being manipulated by powerful human interests. The assassination attempt on Kate is linked to a shadowy, far-right group of billionaires called “The Institute”. This group fears the Sea Devils will replace humanity and wants them eradicated. Furthermore, a mysterious plan called “Severance” is discussed among human military leaders, hinted to be a genocidal weapon against the sea race.
With Salt now a target for both human militaries and her own people, she and Barclay go on the run. Their shared ordeal brings them closer, developing a romantic connection as they hide in an abandoned building.
A Tense Standoff and an Uncertain Future
The episode builds to a major confrontation. Both UNIT forces and General Gunsberg’s army soldiers track down Barclay and Salt, surrounding them on a bridge. Kate, grieving and stressed, orders her UNIT troops to aim their weapons at the British army to protect the pair.
To escape and prevent bloodshed, Salt unleashes a powerful sonic screech, incapacitating the soldiers. She then leaps from the bridge into the Thames, disappearing into the water. As she goes, Barclay shouts after her, “You will never swim alone”.
The story continues with the fifth and final episode, “The End of the War,” airing on Sunday, December 21, 2025, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The official synopsis promises a dramatic climax: “Barclay stands alone, Salt is lost, UNIT is powerless, and the oceans rise as the war reaches its climax”.
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