New 'Doctor Who' Spinoff Is a Message in a Bottle Full of Nothing That No One Asked For
The timing of this show's release is particularly illogical, given the uncertain future of Doctor Who due to its low ratings.
Recently, The War Between the Land and the Sea, a new five-part spinoff of the cult classic Doctor Who, quietly concluded its run.
This BBC project baffles viewers both before and after watching it and clearly embodies the systemic problems plaguing the modern era of Doctor Who under Russell T. Davies.
What Is 'The War Between the Land and the Sea' About?
The show recounts humanity's clash with the ancient Homo aqua, a race that previously appeared in the legendary British TV series.
Now, the underwater inhabitants want to reclaim the seas and oceans of Earth, which once belonged to them. With the help of UNIT, humanity assembles a council led by its junior employee, Barclay Pierre-Dupont.
The Show Is Not Friendly to Newcomers, but It Has Nothing to Offer 'Doctor Who' Fans
On the one hand, the series is so tightly woven into the Doctor Who mythology that it is completely incomprehensible to those unfamiliar with it. On the other hand, longtime fans of Doctor Who have nothing to gain here.
The script, written by Russell T. Davies, relies on narrative tropes from 2005, such as overblown villains, an overemphasis on sentimentality and crying characters, and blunt, moralizing dialogue.
The story resembles a failed hybrid of Romeo and Juliet and The Shape of Water. Instead of the promised war, viewers are treated to a contrived romance and a stream of platitudes about kindness and ecology delivered with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
'The War Between the Land and the Sea' Is the Epitome of Everything That Is Wrong With Modern 'Doctor Who'
The failure of the spin-off is no coincidence, but rather a natural symptom of the franchise's crisis following Davies' return. This period is marked by repetition, sloppy plot development, and questionable creative choices that caused a decline in interest, even among loyal viewers.
The War replicates the worst traits of that era, including cartoonish characters, intrusive and clumsy social commentary, and tired scripting techniques.
The War Between the Land and the Sea seems to be a product of a global deal with Disney rather than a creative necessity.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The War Between the Land and the Sea'?
-
The War Between the Land and the Sea has 85% from critics and 63% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
-
On IMDb, the show has a score of 6.2/10.
Where to Watch 'The War Between the Land and the Sea'?
The War Between the Land and the Sea is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and will drop on Disney+ in 2026.
