fix up the following bugs: * reinstate previousPath in the metadata retrieval * implement DoNotMergeItems for real * nil pointer protection for the 'from' property * some additional logging --- #### Does this PR need a docs update or release note? - [x] ⛔ No #### Type of change - [x] 🐛 Bugfix #### Issue(s) * #3989 #### Test Plan - [x] ⚡ Unit test - [x] 💚 E2E