[This is my first post - I've been reading others' for hours, but sorry if this has all already been said. This is sort of just a random jumble of my RJ related thoughts.]
I am finding it very difficult to figure out who Red John is from Jane's final list. In my opinion, they are all either too obvious, or just wrong in some way.
Bret Styles, for example - he's a freaking cult leader with hundreds of willing followers at his disposal. Not to mention he knew where to find Kristina Frye. He is just too Red John-ish for me to think he actually is RJ. Unless he is obviously too obvious (if that makes sense haha), a sort of 'hiding in plain sight' deal. But I don't think so.
As for the people who are obviously wrong - Reede Smith. Apart from the fact that he is such a minor character who barely made any impression, he just doesn't fit Rosalind's description. Unless she was lying for some reason (but I doubt it).
Bertram is an interesting possibility - I thought it would be almost funny if it was him, and the whole 'assassin with the rope' thing was a sort of game for him. Imagine if he was RJ, and Jane had been this close to accusing him of being an accomplice before figuring out the significance of the rope, and nabbing O'Loughlin. However, Bertram just doesn't seem smart or 'mentalist' enough to be RJ... Unless it's all an act.
The only people I seriously considered were Kirkland and Partridge. To be frank, they both give me the creeps. Partridge definitely has the high voice, and Kirkland is all kinds of suspicious. But neither of them feel like Red John, although they definitely could be followers.
Honestly? I think when Bruno Heller said that RJ is 'definitely on the final list' he was misleading us. I suppose he would have to say that regardless of if he was or not - if he said 'maybe' then the whole storyline would be for nothing. He is very clever in his interviews, like he is playing a game with us all. I think he is a bit of a genius, and I am convinced that he has been subtly giving us RJ's identity this whole time - we just have to put together the right clues.
There are still a lot of things bothering me - the whole 'he is mar/man' thing has been on my mind throughout the whole show, as has Kristina Frye and 'roll tide'. Everything must connect somehow...
What I do know is that Red John has to be someone who is a lot like Jane (either openly or under the surface): charismatic, highly intelligent, manipulative, a very capable hypnotist, warm on the surface with coldness underneath. If it wasn't such an already disproven theory, I might suggest Jane himself.
Anyway, sorry for this ramble - I'm sure it's all been said. I just needed to put my random RJ thoughts out there before they drove me insane. This site is incredible!
