FAQ

2 main theories in this regard. Firstly that Sam never wakes up from his coma and dies in the hospital, his return to the 'real' world all an illusion. Secondly that he does wake up but eventually realises that he was supposed to have died in the accident so commits suicide (his mother presumably having died in the intervening period). The first theory has the problem that Alex Drake in the first ep of 'Ashes to Ashes' knows details of what Sam experienced in his coma due to his report on the incident but this may have also been a supernatural illusion to prepare her for what is to come. The first theory seems more likely as Alex in 'Ashes to Ashes' also appears to return to the real world for a period but in the end accepts that she's been in her hospital bed the entire time and has died. In 'Ashes to Ashes' it's revealed that Sam disappeared during a drugs bust and his body was never found. We later discover that he had told Gene Hunt that he was tired of his existence and wanted to move on implying that he had accepted his death and was ready for the afterlife. The characters on 'Ashes to Ashes' can find no trace of Annie suggesting that either she too was dead police officer who had moved on or she was some sort of angelic guide who's work was done once Sam had passed over. Gene, Ray and Chris meanwhile transfer to the Metropolitan Police to continue their adventures.

Chris, Shaz, Ray and Alex all accept their deaths and pass to the afterlife which is represented by Nelson's pub. Gene Hunt stays behind in his dimension in order to continue being a guide to the spirits of other dead police officers and steer them away from the devilish lure of Jim Keats.