REVIEW: ‘The War Between The Land And The Sea’ Episode 3 — “The Deep”

The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3 is written by Pete McTighe and directed by Dylan Holmes Williams. The show stars Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave and Colin McFarlane. The next stage of the negotiations has to happen at the bottom of the ocean. Which means Barclay and the humans have to descend further than they ever have before.

So much of this episode is dedicated to just the descent, and how dangerous and momentous it is that the humans are going so far down. The build-up is slow and methodical, highlighting the preparation and time that had gone into making sure those going down are safe. There’s a small submersible, with Barclay (Tovey), the General (McFarlane), UNIT staff members, and two new additions crammed inside, sent down to the very bottom of the sea.

Half of The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3 is spent inside this craft. It’s a haunting, tense, focusing on those inside. Every noise and movement raises the suspense, where the slightest hole could tear everyone apart.

The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3 presents a different kind of horror than Who fans are used to.

It’s a different kind of horror than we are used to in Doctor Who, filled with nervousness and trying to maintain control. As this happens miles beneath the ocean’s surface, the control UNIT has on land is starting to slip, too. Others are digging their claws into the government, sapping its momentum, and hurling towards all-out war.

What’s fascinating is that Barclay and his group are going down to try to broker peace. But as they’re descending, it’s already clear that peace isn’t possible because the humans are sending the boulder down the mountain.

There’s already a horrific sense of dread settling in as the group hits the meeting area. But nothing could prepare us for the final couple of minutes. Several surprises completely change both kingdoms and completely devastate a community that was built.

The performances stand out across the episode.

The performances inside that submersible are spectacular, but there are many others outside, too. There was a lot of false confidence before. The whole scene, especially before they enter the dub, feels much more like Armageddon than Doctor Who.

For many of the characters in The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3, especially Barclay, it’s a matter of trying to stay strong and calm whilst utterly terrified. In this scene, which also features Barclay’s ex-wife and child, the acting and dialogue are remarkable. There is another example of how to reveal huge amounts of character history with a few words.

Tovey demonstrates just how scared he is in a small moment before he boards the ship. But once on, he actually stands up as a leader. It’s awesome to see him keep it together because there are others who don’t and need him to be that anchor. One of the inclusions in the sub is Ted (William Gaminara). It’s unknown why he’s there, but he joins Ravi Singh (Manpreet Bachu) and the strangers in the vessel.

Singh is a nervous wreck even before getting in, whilst Ted shows himself confident and friendly, but under the sea, it’s Ted who turns to shivering and panic. It highlights that bravery only matters in the most extreme moments, which Barclay had routinely been able to do.

The connection between Salt and Barclay is instantaneous.

Elsewhere in The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3, Kate Lethridge-Stewart (Redgrave) is another example of barely holding it together. She’s knackered—struggling to stay awake—yet refuses to rest with so much responsibility on her shoulders. She can see through the corruption of those around her.

When Kate walks into a COBR meeting where the Prime Minister is sitting with American generals and his biggest donor, she sees what’s happening, but she’s unable to stop it. Her devotion to her job and the people that work for her makes her such an endearing, refreshing figure in this military complex.

At the bottom of the sea, the connection between Salt (Mbatha-Raw) and Barclay gets a chance to shine again. It’s instantaneous when they’re in the room together. Tovey brilliantly portrays a man who is utterly transfixed by the woman in front of him, while Mbatha-Raw subtly changes how she talks to Barclay compared to the other humans in the party. The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3 sees the pair alone together for the first time, so you can see them get closer, able to touch.

The real sets make the episode far more uncomfortable.

The production is again awe-inspiring. The opening shots of destroyers and other ships are imposing and menacing. But anything in the water looks vulnerable, considering the uncertainty below. The sets that are built are gorgeous and really create a feeling of place.

The sub is tiny and suffocating. At one point, a constantly rotating camera shot helps build tension, with rising fear and claustrophobia. Outside, there isn’t a desire to make the ocean inviting, just dark, dangerous, and unknown.

There’s a real set created for the meeting place at the bottom, and it is stunning. It’s got biological qualities, with wet, mucosal walls. If the production team can make something real, they will. Because when they have to resort to CGI, it does look fake, like a video game.

The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3 robs everyone of comfort. It’s an intriguing experiment in conveying fear. It’s not a standard horror story, but the characters are genuinely terrified and stressed. The performances are sensational, showing skin-deep strength. What makes this series special is that it can take its time.

It doesn’t have to run through scenes because it’s a fast-paced sci-fi show like Doctor Who. Instead, it’s more dramatic and slower. The scenes inside the sub could easily be a play. In the previous episodes, it was always possible that tendons could calm down. But the actions at the end of this chapter mean neither side can come back from it.

The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 3 is available on BBC iPlayer now and on Disney+ in 2026.

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