The War Between the Land and the Sea finale: What time Episode 5 is on tonight and how to watch
The Doctor Who spin-off is set to have an emotional and epic conclusion
The War Between the Land and the Sea is already coming to an end with Episode 5, and this is everything you need to know about what time and where to watch the finale.
The Doctor Who spin-off didn’t pull its punches last weekend. Episode 3 saw Barclay (Russell Tovey) descend into the Homo Aqua’s home to meet Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw). The pair’s relationship developed in curious (and intimate) ways.
In Episode 4, things went badly wrong. A bomb (intended to kill Salt) was detonated, which had catastrophic collateral damage.
The stage has been set for a must-watch finale, so make sure you know exactly when to tune in this weekend.
What time is The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 5 on?
The War Between the Land and the Sea Episode 5 will air at 8:05pm on Sunday, December 14, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
This is a little earlier than past episodes. For example, Episodes 3 and 4 broadcast on BBC One in a double bill between 8:30pm and 10pm.
The finale is a smidge longer, though, with its 53-minute runtime taking viewers toward the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special at 9pm.
The spin-off also doesn’t release in the same pattern as Doctor Who, which dropped new episodes on iPlayer at 8am on the day of their broadcast. The War Between the Land and the Sea is only available to stream at the same time as it airs.
In other words, if you want to avoid spoilers, make sure you’re seated at 8:05pm tonight.
What will happen in Episode 5?
One of the main questions going into The War Between the Land and the Sea finale is… will Barclay and Salt end up together?
Russell T. Davies has described the series as a “love story”, even though the idea of a romance between the two characters has left viewers divided.
“The Barclay/Salt love story feels forced and cringe,” one user wrote on Reddit. “The romance between Barkley and Salt is something I can take or leave. Personally I wouldn’t have put it in, but I don’t care. It does feel a bit weird though, like a bit forced,” another wrote.
Also, expect the finale to deal with the emotional fallout of the deaths of General Austin Pierce (Colin McFarlane) and Colonel Christopher Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient).
“Barclay stands alone, Salt is lost, UNIT is powerless, and the oceans rise as the war reaches its climax. While traitors conspire, can Barclay find Salt before it’s too late?” the official synopsis reads.
How to watch The War Between the Land and the Sea
The War Between the Land and the Sea is available to watch as it airs on BBC One, or you can stream it on BBC iPlayer.
If you’re outside the UK and don’t have access to the BBC, you may be out of luck. It’s not expected to stream on Disney Plus until sometime in 2026, and iPlayer has geo-restrictions.
However, if you have a VPN like ExpressVPN, you can change your location and watch it.
Read more: Doctor Who Christmas special: Most iconic moments from festive episodes
