Could Liz still be alive ?
The show was based on the relationship between Red and Liz. Red has come into her life and whe learned that he was "created" to protect Liz and obviously he failed. So the show doesn't make sense anymore, unless Liz is still alive (or unless he has a greater mission but it is not the subject here).
While her life flashing before her eyes is a pretty obvious fact that Liz was dying, is it fair to think that she might still be alive by the time Season 9 begins ?
Several details could lead to think so.
She could have faked her death. She has done this in the past and twists like that don't scare the writers.
When she has just been shot, you can clearly see a bump on her blouse, where the blood begins to flow. It is most definitely a bleeding accessory. But in general this kind of artifice is not to be seen on screen. Why would it be apparent in this scene precisely ? Could it be a hint, suggesting that Liz is faking her death ?
If she faked her death, could anyone have helped her ?
Ressler : when he connected the dots and discovered Liz's plan, he looked too upset, and when he got to her, his body language (touching her hairs, leaning on her shoulder) leaves little chance for this interpretation.
Cooper : he clearly urged Liz to follow Red's plan, because he felt that this was the only way to keep her safe. And when he arrived on scene he was really upset too.
Aram : he was still mas at Liz for her actions during season 8, Liz asked him to forgive her. But he too was upset when he got to Liz.
Park : It seems that Liz didn't say goodbye to her. Unless we don't know everything. Could she have called her former colleague and asked for her help in disappearing ? Liz and Park's relationship is uncertain, but nothing can suggest that Park would have helped Liz, they weren't close enough.
Red : his reaction to Liz going through her last moments doesn't fool anyone. He's unlikely to have helped her faking her death.
Dembe : He has expressed his opinion on Red's actions and consequences on Liz many times. Red gave him Katerina's letter. He had a discussion with Liz about fate and destiny but we don't know how far that discussion went. Red asked him to stay back when he left the restaurant, but even doing that he didn't seem touched by the situation (or the scene was blotched by the writers), he took Red away immediately, with no visible emotion, without taking a few seconds to pay his respects to Liz while she was dying on the street. If anyone could get Liz off Red's plan and help her go into hiding, my money is on Dembe.
Vandyke : During season 8, Liz made an alliance with Townsend. What if she could have put Vandyke on her side, and worked out a plan with him to help her disappear ?
If the scene is real and Liz is indeed dead, then can we expect it to be some sort of a dream ? (the beautiful song used in the final scene is called "one last dream". Yes it can also refer to her last moments of life but can we just hope ?)
After being injured in the bunker Liz could fight the fever in Red's plane and be delusional, as well as Ressler could still be in a coma on a ventilator, battling sepsis, and be delusional.
Or, could it be a vision like in Twilight Part 5, where either Liz or Red could imagine what would happen if she accepts his disturbing request ?
Also, let's not forget that an ambulance is on the way, Liz could still be brought back to life by the medical team.
The only purpose of Liz’s (apparent) death would be to erase the burn notice. But who knows about this burn notice ? The Task Force and Panabaker. I had my money on Panabaker to be the mole, but what if she works with Vandyke ? Maybe she can be the one to send Liz into hiding. There seems to be something bigger than we have known until now and all the characters seem to be the pawns in a huge international chess game.
Either way, it's up to the writers now to clean up the mess they've put in 8x22 and in our heads. Of course Megan Boone left the show, but as a regular. Nothing prevents her from coming back as a guest once the mole at the FBI is unmasked, Liz taken out of harm's way, and Red's mission is completed.