Long time Mentalist fan here. Hear me out before you vote! And be sure to read my last paragraph, as this is not a point that has been brought up already and I think you may agree even if you don't like Mashburn for RJ :)

Overall, I still don't buy Heller's "trust the list" nonsense. Sure maybe "a" list but not the list of 7. He has mislead us with his selective use of words many times. I also don't believe we can trust any of the women's accounts of RJ. I think people on here are really taking these two things too literally. The mentalist does not 'do' literal people! There is ALWAYS a twist, or someone screwing with Patrick's head (usually RJ and his followers)...and the writer's screwing with ours (need I remind anyone of Timothy Carter - and his weirdo family). And do we actually believe the women who have been RJ's lovers to be trustworthy of providing major clues to identify him?

As another commenter wrote, it has to be someone we are somewhat familiar with to do justice in one episode and not have people freaking out about it. Anyone from the list of 7 is WAY TOO PREDICTABLE (dead or not). The twin stories or Jane's dad/past Carnival entanglements, although creative, are too far fetched for a
mentalist plot if you ask me...maybe they will contribute to the WHY of the RJ theory in the end but they won't be the actual RJ/ring leader. While I don't actually like Mashburn's character for RJ (not enough air time) .... and I am still hoping Stiles has some play in all of this as he's an amazing actor.... Mashburn's the only one who actually makes sense when you look at personal characteristics of the RJ character, that we as an audience know to be true. If Bret Stiles is actually dead, the only other person that has even
remote characteristics of RJ is Mashburn, who (in all fairness to
Heller) is on the 'other' list that was not released to the team (which I agree with others who have said Patrick would NEVER release the real list to the team). The Sheriff, Haffner, Reede, Bertrum, Virgil and
Patridge even are such boring and mundane characters who would never in
real life be RJ - followers or BA members for sure, but not RJ. Really, anyone from the
list of 7 would be such a disappointment to viewers at this point and
Heller knows it.  Plus not at all realistic when looking at character traits in a series! There had better be a twist or this is not a mentalist
storyline.

And for my most important Mashburn evidence ... this is of up most importance ... Mashburn is the only male character I'd actually sleep with other than PJ himself. You laugh ahahha .. but we know Lisbon felt the same.... and he is the ONLY person whom she has slept with on the entire show! No average county Sheriff, desperate detective (Haffner), obese weirdo with small eyes and puffy face (Reede), or worst of all - nerdy half child with no social skills (Patridge) would ever be capable of seducing all those educated, beautitful young women! I'm telling you Mentalist fans, the only man that got in all those ladies pants was someone somewhat good looking, good with women, charming and charismatic. Take any educated, successful, beautiful woman, describe their appearance and characteristics and ask her who she'd go for. Haffner is good looking sure but ppl generally don't like him and he gives off major "DESPERATO" vibes which mostly just make real women run, such as Lisbon (and myself if I was in the Mentalist of course). If any of you think that anyone on those lists, other than PJ or Mashburn would make women drop their panties on a dime, ya'll smokin' Rob Fords crack.

So I know you're all attached to 'your RJ' but you have to admit that the personal characteristics of most of the main characters discussed here do not = RJ capabilities. I loved Stiles sooo much for RJ or at least closely related to in some way, but it's just not going to be a reality is it (tear). So alas I will be disappointed with the red sweater wearing, boat driving Mashy. And for once Heller will speak the direct truth, and I will be disappointed!

Long time Mentalist fan here. Hear me out before you vote! And be sure to read my last paragraph, as this is not a point that has been brought up already and I think you may agree even if you don't like Mashburn for RJ :)

Overall,
I still don't buy Heller's "trust the list" nonsense. Sure maybe "a"
list but not the list of 7. He has mislead us with his selective use of words
many times. I also don't believe we can trust any of the women's
accounts of RJ. I think people on here are really taking these two
things too literally. The mentalist does not 'do' literal people!
There is ALWAYS a twist, or someone screwing with Patrick's head
(usually RJ and his followers)...and the writer's screwing with ours
(need I remind anyone of Timothy Carter - and his weirdo family). And do we actually believe the women who have been RJ's lovers to be trustworthy of providing major clues to identify him?

As
another commenter wrote, it has to be someone we are somewhat familiar
with to do justice in one episode and not have people freaking out about
it. Anyone from the list of 7 is WAY TOO PREDICTABLE (dead or
not). The twin stories or Jane's dad/past Carnival entanglements,
although creative, are too far fetched for a
mentalist plot if you ask me...maybe they will contribute to the WHY of
the RJ theory in the end but they won't be the actual RJ/ring leader.
While I don't actually like Mashburn's character for RJ (not enough air
time) .... and I am still hoping Stiles has some play in all of this as
he's an amazing actor.... Mashburn's the only one who actually makes
sense when you look at personal characteristics of the RJ character,
that we as an audience know to be true. If Bret Stiles is actually dead, the only other person that has even
remote characteristics of RJ is Mashburn, who (in all fairness to
Heller) is on the 'other' list that was not released to the team
(which I agree with others who have said Patrick would NEVER release the
real list to the team). The Sheriff, Haffner, Reede, Bertrum, Virgil and
Patridge even are such boring and mundane characters who would never in
real life be RJ - followers or BA members for sure, but not RJ. Really, anyone from the
list of 7 would be such a disappointment to viewers at this point and
Heller knows it.  Plus not at all realistic when looking at character traits in a series! There had better be a twist or this is not a mentalist
storyline.

And for my most important Mashburn evidence ... this is of up most importance ... Mashburn is the only male character I'd actually sleep with other than PJ himself. You laugh ahahha .. but we know Lisbon felt the same.... and he is the ONLY person whom she has slept with on the entire show!
No average county Sheriff, desperate detective (Haffner), obese weirdo
with small eyes and puffy face (Reede), or worst of all - nerdy half
child with no social skills (Patridge) would ever be capable of seducing
all those educated, beautitful young women! I'm telling you Mentalist
fans, the only man that got in all those ladies pants was someone somewhat good looking, good with women, charming and charismatic.
Take any educated, successful, beautiful woman, describe their
appearance and characteristics and ask her who she'd go for. Haffner is
good looking sure but ppl generally don't like him and he gives off
major "DESPERATO" vibes which mostly just make real women run, such as
Lisbon (and myself if I was in the Mentalist of course). If any of you think that anyone on those lists, other than PJ or Mashburn would make women drop their panties on a dime, ya'll smokin' Rob Fords crack.

So I know you're all attached to 'your RJ' but you have to admit that the personal characteristics of most of the main characters discussed here do not = RJ capabilities.
I loved Stiles sooo much for RJ or at least closely related to in some
way, but it's just not going to be a reality is it (tear). So alas I
will be disappointed with the red sweater wearing, boat driving Mashy.
And for once Heller will speak the direct truth, and I will be disappointed!

This isn’t “completely originally” my story, but it is based on of my theories so I thought I’d add to it. I should say IT’S NOT EVEN A THEORY. It’s a fan fiction* Feel free to link if you like.    :D The events in "Red John”: Fan Fiction.

First of all. We return to Patrick in church. Thomas McAllister walks down the aisle and proclaims victory. Patrick swiftly pulls out a gun and shoots McAllister in his side. McAllister asks for mercy, and after some dialogue, Patrick surprisingly spares him. Patrick warns him to leave him alone. He reiterates he’s done.

Patrick goes to the graveyard where his wife and daughter are buried. McAllister shows up, and a chase ensues. It ends with McAllister crashing through the glass of someone's home. Patrick catches up and McAllister says "Wait. I'm not Red John, Patrick. But he would like to meet you." When the meeting is arranged, Patrick goes and tells Teresa. According to Bloodyfingers' theory, Teresa Lisbon is bugged. So Red John hears Patrick’s plans to kill him at the meeting. Red John sends someone else.

But also according to Bloodyfingers' theory, Patrick has known that Red John is Brett Partridge since season 5 episode 8, since Lorelei Martins told Patrick he had met Red John. He deduced it from Rosalynd Harker's description. And Patrick has been pulling his greatest ever trick for a whole season. (Full details of this Huge trick using the List: Theory 11340)  



Question: What has Patrick achieved in not catching Partridge, and making this list of people he suspected, to be involved with Red John?
________________________________________________

The middle of the episode: Cue Flashbacks: THE WHOLE EPISODE IS LIKE FLASHBACKS!

Robert Kirkland can be seen talking to Virgil Minelli. He is persuading Minelli to retire so Gale Bertram, a spy in Tyger Tyger, could be more useful as CBI Director. Minelli accepts as they both agree its necessary to catch Red John- California's notorious serial killer.

Bertram, McAllister and Smith are talking in an office. It turns out they are in Tyger Tyger as undercover agents. Each and every one of them. They are involved in the clean-up of California law enforcement.

The arrest of Michael Kirkland is shown on-screen, with further flashbacks showing him calling her "Agent Lisbawn" and killing Jason Lennon. It concludes with him finally being shot and framed as the murder of "Bob Kirkland." Robert Kirkland, now a free man and Patrick Jane have a conversation about Tyger Tyger. Robert Kirkland discloses to Patrick that Smith, Bertram and McAllister all work for him. (This explains how Patrick knew about “Tyger Tyger” when he was talking to Smith.) Patrick tells Kirkland the details of the plan he will announce to the 3 on the night. Kirkland gets a SWAT suit ready at Bertram’s residence in Citrus Heights. Then he makes preparations to call all SWAT Divisions into Bertram’s house, using his Homeland ID’s. Kirkland’s incredulous voice on phone “Do I sound dead to you?” Bertram calls Kirkland; Kirkland runs Bertram through his role in Patrick’s plan.

Jane's House
Jane got a military-grade bomb from the company he helped in episode 2 of season 6. Teresa Lisbon's phone is left in his car, after he steals it from her, ready for the meeting of the suspects.

Inside the house, Jane takes his shotgun and he points it at Ray Haffner who is sporting a vertical 3 dot tattoo. Haffner yells "No wait!" "BOOM!" Patrick fires, aiming above him. The bullet misses as intended. There's a shot of Lisbon's phone, and Partridge overhearing what's happened. First Patrick says to Reede "You shot Michael, right?" When Reede confirms this, then Patrick tells the entire plan to the 3 undercover agents, while holding Stiles and Haffner under duress. While McAllister is to report back to Red John, after kidnapping Stiles and Haffner, Reede Smith and Gale Bertram will become fugitives.

McAllister is in a larger vehicle, and he sees Lisbon speeding past. He phones Patrick, he says "She's almost there. Good luck."

"BOOM!" There's a shot of Partridge overhearing the blast. He says "Wow I'm good." Partridge has no idea these 3 followers are actually working against him.

Patrick blows up his house. Patrick is sedated. Gale Bertram and Reede immerse themselves into their roles as fugitives. They realise it is truly necessary to portray themselves as vicious Tyger Tyger members so Red John does not suspect Patrick's powerplay.

While Bertram assumes his new identity and Reede is on the run, McAllister takes Stiles and Haffner to the same place Robert Kirkland is being kept. Then McAllister returns to Red John, claiming he survived a bomb blast, but Haffner and Stiles are dead. Partridge is too distracted by the loss of these precious men to wonder how the others survived.GALE BERTRAM “ATTEMPTS” TO KILL PATRICK JANEIf Bertram was evil and wanted to kill Patrick, he could have sent Oscar Cordeiro. However Bertram is playing a role. He stands in front of Patrick with a knife waiting for Teresa to arrive, to pull it back. Then he leaves, looking uncomfortable. Teresa freaks out when Patrick says he’s got the tattoo. Partridge hears Bertram tried to kill Patrick, so he won’t suspect Patrick is conning him.

While Bertram is playing "fugitive", he leaves a flash drive for the CBI to find. It contains the names of every California agent in the "Blake Association."

Patrick announces to the media that Gale Bertram is Red John, once Smith is safely surrendered. Partridge thinks he's won. He hears Patrick say to Lisbon, "I'm letting go." He tells McAllister to return to Patrick, as Patrick will believe he is Red John, because he suspected Bertram and Reede.GALE BERTRAM VS BARTENDER Gale Bertram can be seen in a bar with a barman. Gale asks for ice in his scotch. The Bartender shovels it laterally, suggesting there is a sheath of glass over the ice. Whether they know each other is unclear. When the barman lazily points out he looks like the guy on TV, Bertram smashes the bottle on the Barman’s head. At that point, Bertram DOES NOT SHOVE GLASS INTO HIS NECK. Bertram actually breaks the glass so that the Barman’s head is bathed in ice. As Bertram leaves, he glances to see if the Barman is ok. Unfortunately the Barman dies, as noted by Rigsby.Gale proceeds to his house, where Kirkland has left a SWAT outfit for him. While Gale escapes, Patrick sees Teresa and takes this opportunity to lazily call out “He’s one of them.” It had no effect… However since Teresa hears it, Partridge hears too, and thinks Patrick truly believes RJ is Bertram.  
____________________________________________


Answer: Patrick has completely exposed Red John's "Blake Association" and taken control of Red John's main Visualize link. Noone is going to avenge Red John.


*RETURN TO PRESENT ACTION*

Patrick makes sure CBI don’t follow him past a certain point, but he asks them to come until he is assured he is safe. This is to make sure Brett Partridge, has no excuse to resist coming to witness Patrick murdering another Red John imposter. The meeting is in a beautiful park. Patrick sees the imposter and tells the team it’s clear. Patrick takes his final tentative steps towards the person Partridge has laid out for Patrick. Patrick keeps his eyes peeled near the site, to see where Partridge's vantage point could be. Patrick and the imposter begin to speak. The dialogue is vague. Patrick talks unusually calmly. Suddenly, Patrick stands up. He pulls out his gun and shockingly throws it to the floor. He says “I’m done with you.” And he walks away slowly, his eyes steeled.

 “WAIT.”   Patrick turns slowly. It wasn’t the imposter’s voice…  

 PATRICK’S EYES FIX ON PARTRIDGE, WHO WAS CLEVERLY HIDDEN, CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET A GOOD VIEW OF THE ACTION! PATRICK BOLTS AFTER HIM!

Partridge’s face contorts into one of confusion and urgency. He runs. Due to the overload of epicness in the final Red John showdown dialogue and reveals, I could not write what happened next.

Excitement for Sunday cannot be put in words!!!

I think that the key is the interview with Bruno Heller talking about the list of suspects. Actually, he didn't say "Red John is on that list" but he said "We can trust that list".

The only logical explanation for using that sentence is that Red John is Michael Kirkland.

Let's think about it a second: if those names appear in the list is for a reason and I really doubt that Jane would make a mistake on that. And the fact that Red John comes to the same list of 7 suspects make me be sure that the names are there for a logical reason. So Jane could not be wrong about the list. 

However, he had not the information that bob kirkland had a twin brother, and red john knows that PJ didn't have this information. So PJ could have shaken hands with Michael while he thought he was Bob Kirkland.

So, if Red John really was in the list, Bruno Heller would say "Red John is on the list". So Michael being RJ would explain the "we can trust that list"