It is a compliment... most people would take it that way, right?

[L asks this a bit awkwardly. It's something he doesn't have a reason to lie about, and flattering for flattery's sake isn't something he's ever done.]

It's also interesting to note the way some people treat Trench as a way to start over, when others try to continue on as they always have.

[He intones the latter outcome like something that he's usually found to be unsuccessful.]