I think the productive way to think of this is that the writers are just trying to use Star Trek as a backdrop set dressing. They have no interest in the history of the universe. I find this a bit disappointing personally, but me and 10 other people care about such things. They do write a few tie-in episodes, but I think in basically all cases you could classify them as homages to specific concepts or key episodes. The writers aren’t interested in deep lore knowledge, they don’t have it and it would be a slog to obtain it.

I’ve re-calibrated my expectations for Picard Season 2 and I think it could be great, it’s a sequel to the bookends of TNG from people who literally watched those two episodes and the Q one with the Narscicans. I think if you go in thinking they watched the Bell Riots and All Good Things then I think you’ll be OK.

Edit: I watched The Many Saints of Newark the other day, and that move is what I wanted in Star Trek. I understand now that MSON is only possible because it’s the same writer and he personally thought through the universe deeply. Maybe GOT sequels will scratch the itch, Star Trek can’t.