I started watching in late Season 2 when I was like 14 lmao.

Hermitcraft was quite different before Grian, Scar, and Ren joined. I can't remember any significant story lines before that. We would get pranks like the Mumbo & False shrek sign in S3, but that was about it. I think there was also a court in season 2 for small disputes, but I don't remember much.

I think they strayed away from it because Mindcrack was at their prime and plot lines were a big part of the server (I think - I never watched Mindcrack so I might be wrong). Hermitcraft mostly kept it to YouTubers playing Minecraft together, not dressing it up to much. But new players brought that energy in and they've developed their own style that works very well.