I think people are too harsh, by the standards of season 1-4 (some of the best sitcom on TV ever) it's poor but compared to everything else it's still pretty good.
I think the show needs to go back to Ted more often. I've not liked Robin since she had a haircut in season 5 (even hotter in the final Andromeda episode), Lily has gone flat and they need to let Jason Segal have a crack at the script because his character has just become some childish type. Barney is still a god and Ted is still cool.
I loved Victoria in season 1 but the last season she was poorly written (none of that enthusiasm and energy). I do agree though, she should have been the one.