The War Between the Land and the Sea ending explained: Barclay and Salt tragic yet hopeful end

BBC One's hit sci-fi The War Between the Land and the Sea has wrapped up with an exciting season finale. The episode titled "The End of the War" reminds us that wars are devastating, no matter which side you belong to.

This five-part series follows Doctor Who’s UNIT as they battle to protect Earth from the Sea Devils, also known as Homo Aqua. The story explores the escalating conflict between Aquakind and humanity as both sides fight for control of the planet. Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars as Salt, the formidable representative of Homo Aqua, who appoints Barclays (played by Russell Tovey) as their spokesperson. The series grips viewers from its opening episodes, weaving in timely themes of marine pollution and the devastating impact human actions have on aquatic life.

By Episode 3 of The War Between the Land and the Sea, it looks like Salt and team Homo Aqua are clearly winning; they have also asked Barclays and a group of delegators to join them for a negotiation. But the meeting does not go as planned. Salt is thrown out by Aquakind after she chooses to help Barclays. Yes, you have guessed what's next. Salt falls in love with Barclays. By season finale, Salt's an outcast, and she needs to reclaim her position. Can Salt finally fight for her position? Can she reunite with Barclays? Or will Barclays choose a different path? Here's what the finale episode looks like.

The War Between the Land and the Sea ending explained: Kate blackmails her psychiatrist

After Colonel Christofer Ibrahim dies in a bomb blast, Kate breaks down, and the grief becomes so unbearable that she can hardly concentrate on the tasks. In the finale episode, we see Kate revisiting the sweet moments she spent with Colonel Ibrahim. Kate seeks help and asks her counselor to double the dosage of the medicine, but the counselor disagrees. But Kate, being Kate, sort of blackmails the psychiatrist about her daughter's parentage and gets her medicines doubled.

The War Between the Land and the Sea ending explained: Barclay is used as a biological weapon to destroy Aquakind

Barclay is not doing too well. He's had constant headaches. What's even more interesting is that he's hearing a shrill sound that no one can hear. His lungs hurt, and he only feels good when he's in water. The officer who's keeping an eye on Barclay reports that he has been leaving his room/prison to look for Salt every night, but unfortunately, he can't find her.

General Dussolier and General Gunsberg, along with PM Shaw, make a sinister plan to kill the Homo Aqua beings, and this time they intend to use a biological weapon. The easiest link they have is Barclay. They spike Barclays' drink, inject him with a virus, and clear the communication lines so that he can interact with Salt.

Unaware of the scheme, Barclay kisses Salt and passes on the dangerous virus, which destroys Aquakind.

The War Between Land and the Sea ending explained: Homo Aqua surrenders

After the virus destroys the majority of Homo Aqua, they surrender to the humans. It's a scene that gives you chills as Salt speaks that she is aware of who the mastermind behind the destruction is and that they will eventually seek revenge. Barclays tries to offer a safe space for Homo Aqua in the Marina Trench, but Salt's trust is broken. In the end, the Empress Hall tank cracks, signalling a breach of trust between the Aqua Kind and humans.

The War Between Land and the Sea ending explained: Do Barclay and Salt reunite?

After having no such clarification on what Accord could be, Barclay's brain scan results show a mysterious thing. His doctor informs Kate that the scans are unusual. The word Accord appeared automatically in his results. Kate wastes no time and takes Barclay to the sea.

When they finally reunite, Barclay finds that he has turned into a semi-fish with a pair of gills. It's a happy ending for the two as they swim together to the depths of the ocean.

Kate is seen walking to her car when she sees someone littering. When the person does not listen to her requests, she pulls out her gun and threatens him to pick it up.

Also read: The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 5