Not a theory, just some thoughts.
1. We don't know for sure if the "list of 7" is really Patrick's list. Patrick didn't give us his list, he just showed Lisbon (and us) some cards with some faces on them. After he had already seen the Lorelei CD. Maybe it's his real list, maybe it's not. We can't know.
And no, I don't care what Bruno Heller has said. And by the way nowhere does he say "yes, RJ is one of the seven". He just says "no more twists", which could mean anything.
2. Something is really wrong with Kirkland's name being on RJ's list.
We all know about the handshake inconsistency here (Lorelei being in prison when Patrick shook hands with Kirkland) and we can safely assume Patrick knows too. Why would RJ list Kirkland's name? Some possibilities:
- Lorelei knew that Patrick shook hands with Kirkland, despite being in prison when it happened. If this is the case, than how did she know? Kirkland told her? Someone else in the CBI saw them shake hands and told her? And by the way, why would anyone tell Lorelei that they shook hands with Patrick at all? Can you imagine RJ visiting Lorelei in prison and telling her "hey, Lorelei, just so you know, I shook hands with Patrick Jane"?
- Patrick's list is real and Red John somehow obtained it. It must have happened before Kirkland had those people break into Patrick's room (Lorelei was already dead at that moment). If this is the case, than why would Patrick put Kirkland's name on the list, knowing that he shook hands with him when Lorelei was in prison? And one more thing. If Patrick already had a real list by 5x16, then what was he doing in the next episodes? Imitating hard work?
- Patrick's list is a fake that he designed in order to mislead/trap Red John and Red John took the bait. Again, RJ did not get the list from Kirkland.
- Red John is merely guessing and for some reason Patrick makes Lisbon (and us) believe that RJ has the real list. This would probably mean that Patrick suspects Lisbon.
3. How does Red John know about some obscure childhood memory of Patrick's?
Again, possibilities:
- Red John has real "powers". This would mean that Bruno Heller and co have made a turn towards X-Files territory, which seems ridiculous.
- Red John is someone from Patrick's past, someone really close to him, someone who knows him very well. Father, brother, childhood best friend, something like that.
- Patrick has in fact told someone about this particular memory (and probably other things too). Red John recruited this person and/or tortured/hypnotized/whatevered them into telling him things.
- Red John gathered the info from the mental institution, that Patrick was in after Red John murdered his family. Patrick may have shared - willingly or not - some private things with doctors, nurses, other patients.
- Red John has hypnotized Patrick.
- Red John is Patrick.
That's it. Thanks for reading. ;)
