Long time reader, first time poster. The posts on here are always interesting - even the wackos going overboard analyzing symbolism (you guys do know that kind of baseless runaway pattern recognition is the source of religion right? assuming not too many mentalist fans are religious...) and accusing PJ xD Though a RJ=PJ ending would be crazy and bold and interesting, this post will make several assumptions that exclude that theory:
1. Rosalind Harker. Anyone who knows the slightest thing about law, especially it's practice in the courts, know that eye witness testimony is very dodgy. Not being funny but Harker can't even see. Her description is something to keep in mind but FAR from concrete. Also, Jane doesn't seem to put too much stock in it based on the list of 7. And it's several seasons ago. Actors are hired on a per season basis - pretty sure they didnt know who RJ would be back then, or they had someone else in mind.
2. Bruno Heller is playing no games when he says that PJ=/=RJ and that the list is legit. Second part is slightly dubious. Heller did NOT say absolutely that RJ is on the list. Find the quote yourself but it was something like 'I can say for sure the list is genuine' and then 'there will be no more games from here on out.' Take from that what you will.
3. Partridge is dead. The actor has been involved for a long time, I would be surprised if he would go and say that if a) it were true, or b) without permission. They just don't want confusion because no one takes anything for face value on the show anymore!
4. Jane's psychiatrist's description of J Roth is accurate AND J Roth = RJ. This is very controversial but based on Heller's previous comments and the fact that RJ will soon be revealed AND the show is going clue-happy this season... Yeh it seems legit to me.
OK so what's my theory? Don't have one. Well... Haffner fits best at the moment in my opinion but I would prefer Kirkland or Bertram. Those 3 MUST be the front runners by elimination:
1. Partridge. Deceased.
2. Styles. Does not fit with 'middle-aged'. The rest could pull it off. People writing off Bertram (old) or Smith (young) just doesn't work - not concrete enough. Alot of people could see either suspect being descibed as middle-aged (I can) but very few would say that about Styles... Besides, Robin Tunney joked in an interview about Styles being too big a name (not good for character + too much money to cast) and I think that makes sense. Also, he wouldn't hurt a fly ;)
3. Smith. Jane's ex-psychiatrist described J Roth as physically fit. Smith would not be able to hide his size.
4. Like my 4th assumption, this is controversial but I think we can eliminate McAllister. He only appeared in one episode before season 6. Don't get me wrong, he is a great actor (watch 'The Booth At The End' either on Hulu or be a man and torrent it, he is awesome in it) and a satisfying ending could be made with him as RJ but I don't see it... ONE episode...
So. Front runners by a mile in my book at least:
!
HAFFNER
!
BERTRAM
!
KIRKLAND
!
Now, important but ambiguous clues we should all be thinking really hard about and I will be checking this site and others feverishly for ideas:
1. The birds! There is something huge there. Popular theory is a fear of birds (pigeons in particular? I don't know birds...).
2. The wrong name in the hospital!!! So slick this show I thought nothing of it at the time and only was reminded of it about 20 posts down. Way too random to be thrown in for kicks. What is the significance of the name?? (Carmen something was it?)
Hope this post helped people / gave some food for thought. Continue the great discussion! Only a couple months and episode 8: RED JOHN!
