I was really bummed out by Half-Sack's death but then, as I found out reading the wikipedia, learned that the reason he was killed off was due to creative differences with the show's direction. Him being a Scientologist, I imagine it had something to do with the religious themes the show was taking on throughout the second season. Which sucks balls, I really liked Half-Sack. As for things being swept under the rug, I am not fond of the complete lack of follow up on the dangling plot line of Luann's murder. I guess we have next season to deal with that.