In between watching episode 11 and 12, I was just kinda getting used to/accepting the fact that Lillys arrest and trial or whatever wasn't shown. A small ending seemed fitting for someone who thinks so much of themselves and whose biggest brag is how big their influence is. It makes them seem less significant and, well, smaller.
But i guess bringing her back makes sense as well. It fits in line with the theme of no matter how obviously wrong something might seem, justice won't always be served just because you're right or smarter. In the system, we (and they) live in money is power, so it is realistic for them to show this.
I felt similar when watching Jack and Joker as well. I expected them to outsmart Boss, but instead, the 4 horsemen stepped in and used their power to save the day and solve the problem. Cuz that was a running theme as well in the show.
I'm not the biggest fan of deus ex machine and a character coming back after never really leaving, but I gotta admit in shows about crime (and most importantly the ways marginalized and less fortunate people are forced into crime) it is logical that the main characters fail to stop the enemy on their own in the 'morally just way' and need a weapon provided by someone more powerful then them (Lillys poison in thk) to finish the job. It shows quite well just how weak they are in a system where power is everything and how morals and murder are nuanced.
