"Reopen windows when logging back in" opens the windows, but then hides them in the dock. What's the point?

I have some windows open.
I shut down the computer, but later resume the work I was doing. So I select "reopen windows when logging back in."
When I restart, sure enough it opens the windows, but then immediately hides them all in the dock.

How does this make sense? I don't want them hidden, I want them OPEN. I've searched but don't see any option for making this setting work the way it should (and the way it did in earlier OS versions).