I have been studying up on this for a while now. I think I've seen every episode of the show. And I'm pretty convinced, now more than ever, that Ray Haffner is Red John.
Here are my reasons:
First of all, Ray Haffner has been part of the show the longest (outside of Gale Bertram and Tom McAllister).
Second of all, he fits the description PERFECTLY. Better than anyone else. Rosalind Harker said that Red John was of average height, falling under 6 feet. He has an average build (not too soft, not too hard), and has short, straight hair. Sophie Miller said that he is middle aged. Patridge and Kirkland are both dead, so Red John can't be either of them. Bertram has very little hair, as does the Sheriff. Reede Smith is a little too "soft," and Bret Stiles is much too old. That leaves only RAY.
Third of all, every single one of the men call Lisbon by her last name. All but one. Ray Haffner calls her Teresa. And the way he says it is similar to how Red John says it. It sounds like "Treesuh". Remember, in the first episode of the season, "I'm sorry, Patrick, Treesuh can't come to the phone right now, can I take a message?" The very next episode, during Lisbon's dream, Ray calls her Treesuh as well. Also, kind of strange how Ray is the one to slit her throat in her dream, right?
Fourth of all (I'm sorry about the "of alls"), every time Red John has ever used an alias, he's always had 3 letters in his first name.
EXAMPLES:
Dr. Joe N.H.
Red John
Roy Tagliaferro (forgive the spelling on this one)
Jay Roth
RAY Haffner
Red John didn't kill Lisbon in the first episode? Why? The only reason I could think of is that he likes her. He even tried to pull her away from Jane last season by inviting her to join his private firm. He wants to hurt Jane, but killing Lisbon (which would devastate Jane) would hurt him as well. So he tries to do it by taking her away from him.
Ray is a part of Visualize. He talks, walks, and even resembles Red John. If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck... it's probably a serial killer.
If it's not Ray, I'm going to be shocked outta my mind!
Love the show!
