Something next to normal, that's the thing I'd like to try

I think part of it was ship-motivated - which, in fairness, Jason Dohring was a much better actor and had better chemistry with Kristen Bell, and I think people resented the show continuing to push Duncan as a love interest? Especially in S2, when they insisted on breaking up Logan/Veronica over the summer, so we never actually got to see them together, and they never really sold it why she'd get back together with Duncan.

But that's not his fault, and he didn't deserve all the hate.