If it weren't for Obsidian Ant I wouldn't have a clue either. His weekly stuff is basically exactly that. A "previously on"
The guy obviously enjoys the game by admiring the scenery and has hit on a winner formula with his vids.
1 of the plotlines is the Federation Ex President went into deep space. Got lost and came back with an Epiphany fueled by drugs /madness or possibly alien psyckers. Apparently this plot was so g compelling that it took them 3 months to tell and even added a stupid little tourist beacon to the Sol system for it.
I just summed it up in one shot. So don't worry you are not missing much. The other plots aren't even worth noting.
What gets me about the Fed v Empire thing is that is doesnt relate to the tedious BGS, nor to anything interesting or challenging via gameplay. The best Frontier can chuck up, and it hasnt changed since Alpha, are combat zones, bots fighting bots, and some half baked scripted economy.
Frankly in my view the nauseous and entrenched determination to make every one safe, ala solo, pg, has taken one of the best gaming concepts ever created and turned into a boredom simulator.
Almost everything they do now is to layer one thing on top of the other, assest and previous work re-used to nTh degree.. There are no new game dynamics, none. The core of this game needs some serious work. I don't think they, or perhaps anyone, is capable of achieving Braben's initial vision (read pitch). I doubt he believes its possible either.
To boot I'm just not seeing any evidence, hints or reading between lines, that things are going to be improved. The game is what it is, they'll push out shiny new stuff but sadly I think its always going to be a millimetre deep.
With some experience of key stake holders I'm starting to realise the motive is making money. If ED goes south tomorrow it wont matter to them, 'the business' will move on and make more pap to generate revenue.
When we look at it this way things make a lot more sense.
