Yeah Lucas definitely is best when he is dealing with Dan, so I can't wait to have Dan back properly. I really don't think it'll neglected, once LD stuff gets going they always have some great scenes and maybe this is the Lucas storyline we've been crying out for.
We're actually almost on the same page about almost everything this episode
Manu 
, apart the Owen/Brooke stuff, which kinda interests me a little, but not that much. I also loved seeing Peyton get to be happy about something for an episode, but I agree the storyline as a whole is kinda boring, just like all the career storylines have been. They're literally just there, it's a real shame because I was looking forward to them so much this season and they've just not been handled well at all, or given the time they should have been. It's literally a minute here, a quick scene there and then back to the relationship drama.