That is indeed the point! I felt the story lost its focus a bit afterwards. I don't hate Mello and Near, but their dynamics with Light aren't as interesting. I think it'd probably be possible to create a version of Death Note where L dies halfway through and the story holds my interest - after all, Light's my favourite character, rather than L - but unfortunately the version we canonically got isn't it.

An excellent cause! (also wait when did you change your username, it took me a moment to work out who you were there)