Shortland Street returns: Who survived the Christmas cliffhanger?

The return of Shortland Street has revealed the fates of a number of characters caught up in December's dramatic finale – with the safety of some still unclear.

Jasper was killed by his father Mason while out on the catamaran with Sass, and Mason himself was last seen sinking into the ocean after being shot with a speargun by Sass.

The fate of Sass is unknown. Last seen floating out in the open ocean, nothing is heard from her this episode but for the coastguard discovering the empty catamaran at sea.

The Warners, unaware of the events on the catamaran, only learn of Jasper's death and Sass' disappearance long after.

Back on land, Dr Esther Samuels scrapes through after her ailing heart almost cost her her life while being taken hostage by the shooter who Mason hired. A tense operation at the hospital, in which Esther nearly slips away, ensures her survival.

However, she's not out of the woods yet; she learns she may only have weeks to live. Jolted by the crisis, her fiance Finn decides to let Esther go back to her old flame Curtis.

"Curtis loves you," says Finn. "He said that while you were dying; he said you're everything to him. And i just want you to be happy... I love you so much, but if you would rather have him, then I won't stand in your way." Esther looks conflicted.

Meanwhile, Chris Warner's life is unravelling. Awakening from a drunken night out to find Virginia injured and unconscious at the bottom of his stairs, he quickly finds himself in hot water.

With questions being raised over his temperament of late, and Virginia's necklace discovered in his bedroom, the evidence seems to suggest Chris harmed Virginia.

The episode ends with Chris' arrest - but with both Virginia and Chris' memory rather hazy, and no one's stories corroborating, could someone have framed him? Could it have been Mason, who was hell-bent on enacting revenge against Chris and his family?

Only time will tell, as Shortland Street kicks off another year full of drama in Ferndale.