I don’t think y’all understand how cute I find it that after Tommy calls Dream ugly (and Dream responds by shooting him) Punz punches Tommy [link]

[context]

I mean I wrote essays on my theory of why, but as far as I’m aware we don’t have a definitive answer as to why.

I mean we know why he made the prison. We know he intended to put himself in it not cTommy. We know he knew people were plotting to kill him. We know he had cPunz betray him to protect cPunz and have no one think they are working together. We know he was supposed to be out sooner. We know he had cRanboo set off explosions while Tommy was in the cell with him. We know cDream’s goal was for everyone to live and be happy together and we know ultimately cDream just didn’t want to ever be alone.

No hate for the theory, but I think it can be explained by the fact, that Dream and Punz filmed the video after the prison arc: they wouldn't have back ups of the server from a year ago, so maps were like this

I did actually mention that in my original post on the matter [here]. In fact, in my exploration of the dsmp map, I confirmed that it wasn’t even filmed on the server at all. For example, the layout of Punz’s tower does not match the design before or after prison. Not to mention the labs are nowhere to be found. Begging the question, if it's a set they made, why have a map at all if it is not reflective of the timeline. Still, I do believe it's stated somewhere that they didn't even make it themselves, so perhaps the makers simply screwed up. So of course we can say it's a mistake, a misstep, though we could say that about a lot of things on the dsmp to be fair. But I personally like to take the lore as it is and try and make sense of it as things are not as I assume they should be. Because to me to go down the rabbit hole of retconning or dismissing can quickly become cherry picking the lore to fit your viewpoint. Even so, there are plenty of assumptions that are perfectly reasonable to believe one way or the other, especially if we have no concrete evidence. Like did staged duo experiment on themselves? Technically, we don't know that. As I go over [here] they said they have both been to limbo but that's it. Granted, given Dream's comments to Tommy in prison about doing experiments, it isn't by any means unreasonable to assume that confirms they did experiments on themselves. But that is just an assumption not actual fact because they don't say that and we have no scenes showing that. Another just as plausible alternate assumption then is they didn't do experiments on themselves since they did kidnap lab rats after all. Both could be true, so it's up to what you want to believe. Just know, that anything you base on one of these assumptions will be somewhat flawed as it's not explicit canon and therefore does not necessarily represent the facts.

Anyways, the point is we can string together theories and assumptions and write essays on what makes the most sense, I literally did that [post], but technically those aren't explicitly true. What is literally true is that the map in the video is from post prison. That's just a fact. You can retcon on it or come up with a theory to explain it away, or write it off as a flaw of the video, but it's honestly one of the most factual things we have about their experiments. After all, believing what staged duo say in the finale is assuming they are telling the truth and aren't playing on a stage once again. And if there is no concrete evidence to say they did do the experiments before, but is concrete evidence that shows they did after, then doesn't it make the most sense to go with the one that has an actual concrete basis. Why is it more reasonable to retcon it as a mistake?

In fact, here are some quotes that become true if the experiments occurred after prison:

Hmm realistically, no. Why else would Dream give Punz the book if he can bring himself back on his own. Furthermore, why get tortured under the threat of death if you can come back anyways. Sure we could say that’s before experimenting but I find it hard to believe that isn’t one of the rules. Remember when Sapnap got the Death Book and there were rules for it, well I think this was probably one of the rules for the Revival Book along with not being about to revive animals. Now whether it says that in the book or they found out through testing is anyone’s guess. But yeah, I mean if Dream could bring himself back why doesn’t he? Instead he waits in limbo for hours until Punz revives him.

I think that perhaps they tested it and even if we are going with the theory that they didn’t kill eachother in countless experiments, then I kinda imagine this would be the experiment they did run that gave them both experiences in limbo. Or at least is one thought I have. I think if Dream could, he wouldn’t be scared and upset by death like we see him in the staged finale, being tortured in prison, the finale… the stakes would be less and the betrayal would sting less if the consequences weren’t as dire, instead even after prison when Punz has the book, we see Dream vent his hurt and bitterness:

“I have a lot to say to you… I—I think—I—I’ve got questions for you as well. So, when I'm sitting there in the prison—my new home and I'm researching things, and I'm studying, and—and testing, and you just sneak in—in the middle of the night. I hadn't bothered you for Months… for MONTHS. But I'm the bad guy. Why'd you do it? Why—why'd you involve yourself again? I—I was—at this point, I was—I was so focused on Quackity, and everything that he was doing, and Las Nevadas and getting revenge. I was—I was focused on Awesamdude, and beating him. And I—I you were—you were the last person on my mind. I was focused on Wilbur, for burning the discs. I was focused on everybody except for you, and then you were like—‘Hey, I want attention. I'm gonna come and break into your house in the middle of the night and—and kill you’—and you know, I'd be dead right now, if it wasn't for Punz… I'd be dead. You would have killed me! You're fine with that? You're so—you're so—you're—you're so cold-blooded, you're fine with breaking in and—and killing me in my own home, for no reason after—after I've already been for months leaving you alone? Yeah, and you also you were fine with dooming the rest of the server. You didn't know Punz had the Revival Book. You were fine with death being permanent? That means that everybody on the server—everyone dies eventually. That means that you were fine with dooming the entire server to all dying, essentially. You—you were fine with that? You were—you were fine—you were saying ‘yeah, it's fine. Everyone can die’… because without the Revival Book, death is permanent. So, you're—you're like—‘Yeah, that's fine, let's sacrifice the best thing that—” [8:23]

He pretty much says it right here. Note how he highlights that without Punz this would have been the end for him and no matter what he says later, I think this is one of his most vulnerable moments in this conversation as Dream expresses his indignation and highlights the cold-blooded nature of the “heroes.” …