Back when the "death" story was new, I posted rather obliquely about this conclusion, not wanting even a spoiler warning to possibly ruin it for anyone new.
I love this finale. The whole suspense that the wolf would find Carolyn, her wanting to protect her daughter, and that that's what finally enables her to reach the push button. And, it proves that she was right to have the button and the bell system set up - can you imagine if they had disobeyed her?!! And then, to still be pronounced dead but suddenly show up!!! (I had forgotten that part.)
Actually, the death story doesn't really go on that long. It's stretched out over a long period of time, but except for a couple of episodes, they don't spend that much time on it. And then, during the Vicki wedding story and it's aftermath, Liz went back to being pretty normal.
So, I feel it's worth it to have all of that just to set up this marvelous outcome!!