do you watch the office for the story line or for the laughs? the story is a vehicle for the laughs, but often it gets in the way of the laughs... so enjoy the ride... laugh a little... don't worry about which beets the smoke monster likes best
nobody is a bigger fan of the Office than me but i agree that this show seems to be sliding a bit last few episodes.
they just haven't provided me with the laugh out louds they were before. hopefully its just a minor pitfall (as far as being able to please my comedic taste, since most everyone else seems ok with it) and they will rebound as the season closes out and next season arrives.