This is the first (and probably last) time I submit anything here, even though I've been reading all of your theories for a long time. Thanks for the good stuff. You've helped me build mine.
So let's just make things clear about Bob Kirkland's twin, Michael.
What makes him a good Red John, from the producers' point of view:
- He would be an awesome excuse for "not deceiving" the viewers about the list of 7 while having a plot twist. His face was there all the time.
- In spite of not having any horns or nails on his face like Timothy Carter said, there's something creepy about him. Besides him, the only one who's creepy is Partridge...HOWEVER, while Partridge definitely does not, Kirkland looks exactly as smart and arrogant as Jane. In the same way. And this is what they were looking for, when they say Red John and Patrick are similar in many ways;
- His first appearance, as well as everything he does after that, is clearly displayed as something important to the plot, like they want the general public to take him into account so they don't think it's out the blue. They even play a creepy song when we see him for the first time (besides the flashback), at Lisbon's office;
- We need a story. We need a reason. He can't just be Red John because he was born evil. And the Kirkland brothers are the only ones who have already had their motives exposed on the series. If they let Red John's story to be fully revealed after they catch him, with no flashbacks, things that were there all along, it'll look damn sloppy;
- Bruno said that Red John was there from the very beginning, and that's what makes people believe that it's not him. Do you remember episode 5x05 Red Dawn? It's from when Jane first joined the CBI, years ago. And who's there? Kirkland. And he was up to something.
What makes Michael Kirkland the best Red John we could possibly get
(even if it turns out he's not the one)
- As I've said, he has motive.
We all know Red John was a member of Visualize.
Visualize is known for "saving" people from drug and alcohol abuse.
Bob said everything to Jane before he died:
His father was a drunk. He used to hit him, his brother and his mother.
His mother killed herself 'cause she couldn't take it anymore. With a razorblade.
It is common knowledge that serial killers get ther M.O.s from a traumatic experience. So, the mother and the razorblade can be the answers to these questions:
Why does he kill women?
Why does he like to cut them open?
Also, Bob said that his brother went for the bottle after his father drank himself to death. And this is why he joined Visualize.
Bob never really found his brother. He just felt his brother was dead.
- The quotes "Have you seen me before? Are you sure?" to Jason Lennon, before killing him, and "Do you recognize me?" to Panzer aren't there for no reason. Michael Kirkland could have used his brothers' ID. We don't even know if it was Michael or Bob with Jason Lennon.
- In episode 6x01, we know that Red John was the one to abduct Lisbon. With a taser. We also know for sure that Kirkland abducted Panzer. With a taser.
- Why is Red John so hard to catch? So hard to ID? Probably because he does not lead a social life. Like he's presumed dead. And he sure as hell doesn't have a job, like the guys on the list.
- Don't you think the Timothy Carter story needed a little more explanation? Why did he pretend he was Red John? Of course, because Red John told him to. But I don't believe this was the only time. I believe Timothy Carter used to play Red John whenever he needed to meet someone in person, so they couldn't ID him (as he is presumed dead) or frame his brother.
- Let's not forget the pine, guys. Rosalind Harker said Red John smelled like pine. Michael Kirkland (yes, Michael, not Bob) owns a farm surrounded by pines.
- The carnival thing. Jane grew up like that. He didn't have a place to call home. And so did the Kirkland Brothers. Bob said they used to move in and out, all the time. Maybe that's the connection between him and the happy memory?
- The guy whistling in the hallway in 6x07, while Jane is questioning the cop, looks like a Kirkland.
- The voice matches perfectly, mainly in 6x01, when he answers Teresa's phone.
- C'mon, guys, that bloody poem has to mean something, right?
"What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry? "
Symmetry. Twins. The good one and the evil one.
When Jane drops his teacup, it looks like he remembered something. Framing Bertram was obviously a strategy to distract people or to draw Red John's attention, and Reed can't possibly be him. Jane has another theory going now.
I would totally buy that. I wouldn't feel disappointed. I can't say the same thing about any of the other suspects.
I feel anxious in a weird way. I'm a little afraid I won't like it. They've set our expectations too high.
Cheers from Brazil!
