To answer the OP, I can't ever imagine DT going the double drummer/double keyboard route. I think the comparison to Yes' Union lineup is a good one.
And at this point in time, I can't imagine MP ever coming back on a permanent basis. A lot of things would have to happen before that could ever be a possibility, starting with MM choosing to leave the band on his own. Not an impossibility, but highly unlikely. And DS coming back is even more improbable, although not out of the complete realm of possibility. Given that they are playing together in a band that's sort of prog-metal, I don't see it happening in any case.
The fan base would gladly accept MP back any time. DS I'm a bit more uncertain of, seeing as a lot of people had no love for him during the time he was in DT (and after).
Um, no. Not even a little. Hard pass.
No as well. Because saying "the" fan base implies that the whole fan base would. I, for one, would not and I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one.
No, saying "the" fan base implies most of the fans. It goes without saying that every single individual that is a part of the fan base is never going to agree with everything that happens. It's why there are those still upset over MP leaving and MM being DT's drummer, as well as those who welcome MM and are glad MP is gone. It's why everybody's ranking of DT's albums is different. And noxon knew that when he made his post.
And this may be splitting hairs, but John and John had already decided to start a band when they walked by that practice room at Berklee and heard MP playing and asked him to join. So, technically, MP was not there from the beginning. I only point that out because I get tired of hearing MP say it was his baby, blah blah.....
Ummmmm....no. In Lifting Shadows, MP states that JP and JM approached him in the lunch room, and they decided to get together and jam. He even said "We never even officially said 'Hey, let's get together and form a band.'" Further, JP stated "As far as I was concerned, we had a band before we went [to Berklee]. It was me, John and Kevin and we had different drummers we were playing with. When we went there, in a way it was like breaking up the band because Kevin didn't go there. So I don't think in my mind I was thinking about going there to form a band."
It's clear that JP and JM did not have intentions of forming a band, nor had they done so before meeting MP. So please stop with the pointless, misleading and unnecessary comments.