Plastic Apocalypse

"We are cleaning up your mess."

Writer: Pete McTighe

Format: TV

Broadcast: 07 December 2025

Series: The War Between the Land and the Sea 1.02

Featuring: Kate, Barclay

Synopsis

Barclay becomes humanity's ambassador when the mysterious Salt emerges from the Tank. But his family's life is torn apart when Salt wreaks revenge upon all mankind.

Verdict

Plastic Apocalypse was a good episode to continue The War Between the Land and the Sea! I thought this was a strong follow up to what was a great Homo Aqua opener, but I do think it perhaps suffered slightly from being broadcast immediately after it. Full disclaimer, I wasn't able to watch until the following evening but even then some elements felt repetitive. I think there was perhaps a little too much diplomacy and not enough action, although it did feel that everything came at once in regards to the latter with the shock of Salt holding humanity's leaders to their word in a very literal sense. I think we did get a bit too much of the same when it came to the arrival of Salt and the rest of the Homo Aqua in the H20 Committee hall and I imagine it would have been even more felt had I watched the episodes back to back. It's no major issue though, just a little qualm. I think Barclays is growing into a really strong character and I wasn't expecting him to be a little clueless. I should have known really that Russell Tovey would inject some humour into the role and that really is magnificent. I am begging for every episode to end with him saying 'okay' now in that sheepish way. I thought Kate had a strong episode as the head of UNIT and the urgency in which they ran through Barclay's life and questioned him about why he was chosen as Ambassador was marvellous. I think the news reports and social media elements of the real world catching up with events is magnificent as they just feel real. This is the world now whether we like it or not. One thing I think I could have done without was the scenes at home with Kate and Colonel Ibrahim. It's no secret they're an item but seeing Kate in particular get romantic and borderline sexual was a little uncomfortable. It's like seeing your teacher out of school vibes. She's been so serious and in her work ever since The Power of Three so this just felt wrong! It sprung a disturbed look from my partner on the sofa next to me! I'm not sure it really added anything but good for her with the age discrepancy! I thought the moment Salt wanted a glass of water from the river for Barclay to drink to showcase her point of contamination and pollution was superb. She's a tremendous villain to be as the defacto leader of the Sea Devils and I think she'll have a ruthless streak. Even when it was nice of her to say how Barclay was her favourite human after he sprung quite the tirade against humanity's past in polluting the seas. Barclay being a spokesperson and offering terms to the Homo Aqua on a forty-year plan to clean up their pollution and contamination was obviously never going to be acceptable and to be honest I was on Salt's side. Immediate action was required. I do think her demands of having all waterways including the air above them was bold and some way to provoke war. But then she went and returned the sea's rubbish to humanity which was incredible imagery. I would like to know a bit more about just how they did that and why they wouldn't just have done it anyway if they were going to provoke mankind anyway, but there's plenty of time to come in the series yet for that. I very much welcome the direction of the next episode with the next meeting to take place beneath the ocean. That's very exciting and Barclay taking it upon himself to accept the offer despite Kate pleading not to was great stuff. I can't wait to explore Homo Aqua in their natural habitat. Also, the Titanic being thrown out has to be a nod to Voyage of the Damned with Tovey now in the lead role! Overall, a strong episode but probably a bit too much talking. It's time for action. 

Rating: 7/10