Stop trying to look at labeling the shots as "staged". Focusing on the visual similarities without considering the personalities, cultural influences and industry norms has the ability to lead you on a journey of supposition that will make conspiracy theorists look conservative.
Just imagine what the response would be if someone walked into any lab/workshop/office and indicated they were going to do something that would have damaged a mission critical or expensive bit of kit - or disturb a carefully set up experiment. I think the reactions portrayed would not be an uncommon one.
You have a point... 3 years ago. Same initial state leads to the same outcome.