Characterisation and introduction Ahead of her introduction, Sam was billed as being "fast-living, fearless and fiery" by the BBC. Salt dubbed Sam "
Casualty's answer to
Lara Croft!" She told Patrick McLennan of ''
What's on TV'' that Sam was a tough, "action girl", who was keen to save everyone, but she did not want her to seem like a "war machine". Before they can discuss things, Sam is called out to attend to victims of a chemical spill. Sam deliberately puts herself in danger to spite Dylan and get his attention. As they descend into the cave, Sam and Dylan try to keep their relationship professional, but soon begin to argue about their failed marriage, placing themselves and their patients in danger. Sam asks Dylan if they can talk after their shift, which makes him believe that she wants a reconciliation. Dylan later tells Sam that he has booked a table at a restaurant, and she realises that he thinks they are going on a date. Nick Jordan notices their behaviour, and he tells Sam to find a way to work with Dylan. However, when Dylan begins belittling her, Sam decides she has had enough and contacts her former commanding officer to ask if she can return to the army. Dylan refuses to sign the divorce papers, but insists that he wants Sam to leave Holby, prompting Salt to comment that Dylan was "confused by his emotions". She also thought that Dylan's refusal to sign the papers was because he knew that was what Sam wanted. Salt explained to Sarah Ellis of
Inside Soap that when Sam see Dylan's life under threat, her first thought is to protect him. Keen to avoid having legal action brought against the hospital, Zoe Hanna asks Sam to meet with Keith and apologise. A lawyer for the
General Medical Council investigates Keith's complaint and Sam's colleagues are asked to give statements about the incident. Dylan tries to avoid giving his, while Zoe learns that she will be called as a witness. In March 2012, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported a special
Red Button episode titled "
Under Fire" would explore Sam's time in Afghanistan, and the events that led to her arrival at Holby. Producers told Kilkelly that the episode would explain Sam's "brusque bedside manner and brave but impulsive decision-making". When Sam learns that Zoe will be testifying against her, she is "livid". She then decides to fire her legal team and represent herself. Salt thought it was "madness", but said that Sam needed to feel that she was in control of her own fate. Sam wants to help treat her friend, but Tom reminds her that they are not supposed to treat patients that they share a personal relationship with. Sam "reluctantly" leaves Tom to treat Melanie. When Sam and Tom argue about a patient's diagnosis, Dylan loses his temper with them both, and he reveals that he saw the kiss and knows they are a couple. After a few months, Sam becomes fed up her and Tom's casual relationship. When she is asked on a date by another doctor, Tom becomes jealous and realises that he wants to commit to her. Sam worries that Tom is only making their relationship official because someone else in interested in her, but he assures her that he is serious and they put on a
public display of affection in front of their colleagues. When Sam's former boyfriend, and paramedic, Iain Dean learns of the impending proposal, he interferes by telling Tom that Sam confided in him about her relationship. Tom feels "betrayed" and decided not to propose, but Sam, having learned of his plan, proposes to him instead. Tom expresses his anger when he learns that Sam and Iain went to Birmingham to visit a former army colleague, and kept it from him. Sam defends herself, telling Tom that his jealousy is the reason why she kept it a secret. After Tom asks Sam to think about whether she wants to marry him or not, she gets drunk with Iain and kisses him. Sam and Tom decide to marry in secret, but they miss the ceremony when a workman is electrocuted outside the registry office. They help to save the workman and Iain is one of the paramedics that arrives on the scene. Sam does not feel disappointment when she and Tom miss their ceremony, and she questions whether they should get married at all. On 25 April, Dainty announced that Salt had reprised her role, and would return to filming at the end of May. Hossington revealed that Salt was approached about a return, after the producers agreed that she was popular with viewers. Sam returned in the fifth episode of the
thirty-second series on 23 September 2017. Sam returns to Holby as the emergency department's new paramedic. Salt was glad of her character's change in occupation, as it meant her storylines would be different to those in her first stint. She also liked the variation in filming locations, commenting "There are different challenges, and I get to work outdoors and meet all the brilliant guest stars. It feels like a different job." Of the burgeoning relationship, Salt explained "Jacob was there for Sam when she needed to vent her frustrations, which starts to fuel a romance. Jacob is escapism for Sam from her heavy work." Salt knew that she did not want to stay with the show long-term, as her family is based in London. When she was informed that her character would die, Salt admitted that she was shocked, but she wanted Sam to leave during a big storyline, as she was not planning on returning again. The producers agreed and felt that killing the character off was the best thing to do. The actress said, "They wanted to create a really lovely, dramatic exit for me to leave on and this opportunity arose when they planned this huge motorway pile-up. Iain was the guy on call, and given his relationship with Sam, it seemed like the perfect moment to throw a real spanner in the works." Salt liked that her departure was kept a secret until transmission, and she felt that it would make more of an impact on viewers. She found filming Sam's last scene to be "really sad", even though it was shot first. Salt added that Sam's death would also impact Iain, who will show a dark side as he spirals "into a demise afterwards." ==Reception==