Ok lets begin with this:
Although the reveal, as an episode had flaws I do like that Xander Berkeley is Red John. Despite what people say he is one of two on the list that match the description given by Rosalind Harker (given that time has elapsed and that's why he has less hair).
The flaws in the episode itself that a lot of people are complaining about however are easily explainable, the two most common being that 1) Patrick bought in a pigeon and 2) Red John called the police. I think the pidgeon, like the gun, was already in the church, placed by Patrick earlier under the seat, which is why he sits down but doesn't take the gun until he stands again, he was actually getting the pigeon! This is why the bird wasn't found when he was being searched. On this same note, people are also complaining that Red John lost BECAUSE of a pigeon. I say 'why not?' Red John is a murderer/rapist he is obviously very psychologically damaged, why shouldn't he have an irrational fear of pigeons? Although a bit anti-climatic, I don't have a problem with it.
On the subject of Red John begging for his life, running and apologising (the blinking was stupid, I'll give you that) I thought this was GREAT. Red John is a coward! His M.O. and general evasivenss is proof of this. This is what a murderer looks like, not some larger than life para-mentalist who has ten alternate plans which come forth in one 40 minute episode so that he and Patrick have an all out contact/intellectuall war, with an eventual life shattering reveal (which some people seem to have expected).
OK, that said:
Strawberries and Cream's "Red John" reveal (Timothy Carter) was, in my humble opinion SO much better. Had they ended with something anywhere near akin to this I don't think we'd have any real complaints, from anyone.
Finally and most importantly is that things were not and apprently are not, going to be explained. This is where I'm frustrated beyond belief, these are the details we have waited years for, the who, how and most importantly why? The answers to our questions! All the events that have occured around Red John and the CBI, apparently now, they're just not that important and that is the truly upsetting part of this whole business.

I suppose the question now is 'where to next?' with Red John gone I honestly don't see what will make The Mentalist survive. I'm going to continue watching it of course, but I hope it doesn't just revert to another crime drama, the Red John aspect was the dak element that pushed everything along and were the episodes I held out for, I hope they can create something just as good to keep the audience wanting more, and honestly I hope they respect the fans enough to actually give us some answers.

P.S.
If this reveal turns out to be fake again i'm not exactly going to be happy, but i'm not going to be unhappy either.

Right before Jane killed McAllister, he revealed that he had a male sidekick. This leaves a slew of possibilities of how to continue Jae story line.

P.S. Hunting down blake members and Red John disciplines will give this show another 6 seasons to go.

Patrick Jane carrys a pigeon in suite jacket for 22minutes. Jane could not get the gun pass a frisk but could get the flippin' bird past everyone. FBI frisk, The Bird gets by! Car Chase and bird is just chillen! The bird even goes on a joy ride with some cool homie and bird is still there. RJ croonie frisk and the bird gets by. So is RED JOHN DEAD? Will you continue to follow the show?

I thought the episode was awesome . I didn't like it the first time but now i understand it all. Everything was explained by the discovery of the Blake Association. Thats how red john was one step ahead. But it was NEVER red john that was a step of ahead, it was a whole organization. For all we know timothy carter the og red john could of killed Patrick's wife and daughter. Maybe the sherif did it himself. But what i learned from this episode was this...
Tom macalister was a power hungry control freak. A sadistic man who used women to do his bidding. Sort of like charles manson. He was obsessed with the game as patrick was for 6 seasons . Jane gave up this game because it played right into what red john wanted . Jane didnt care for an explanation about the tricks and magic this serial killer created. Jane realized hes just an obsessed guy who doesnt have many friends. "He craves" the affection and attention . Jane gave him none . He wasn't a serial killer he was a mob boss more so in that he was drunk with power and got offended at janes remarks . He wasn't visualize religious or really had any doctrine except power and control . He was a sheriff for crying out loud!
I loved that jane strangled him. It was wicked and twisted . Also jane made macalisters last thoughts be "regretting killing janes family" and "being afraid to die" . No smiley faces here. Gurgle gurgle lights out .
In conclusion, red john never existed . The image macalister created was a facade. A red herring . A game . He was the leader of a mob called the blake association. He was a sick mentally ill prick too but he WAS NOT DEXTER MORGAN!!!
The writing was great . The birds are dinosaurs line went way over peoples heads. Think about our government and how they act . Wink wink right back at u mr heller ;)

I dont believe Red John is dead!!!!  Just doesn't make sense ! Just because someone talks like Red John and knows few things doesnt make him red john, We seen this before !! I truly believe we we see everything come out end of season.  Stayed tuned!!!

McAllister was a fitting choice, at least after Partridge was ruled out. You couldn't have expected RJ to be Bertram, Kirkland or Reede Smith. It had to be someone who was introduced in S1. RJ couldn't have been introduced so late in the series.

The only disappointment was the direction. How did Patrick throw that Pigeon on McAllister? Did he bring it with him? And we are to assume that the FBI agent couldn't find the pigeon when he checked Patrick for weapons? Or that the pigeon was silent throughout the conversation.

Also that scene with the mobile exchange, and kids stealing his car. Too circumstantial.

Also, there should have been more of the RJ Voice. Eg : McAllister entering from behind "Hello Patrick" in RJ Voice while RJ background plays.

And also, I feel that at least a few more questions should have been answered.

In all, a decent episode, but with a great room for improvement.

Lets see how the story unravels now.

Ha Ha Bruno Heller should have been Red John and this is what the dialogue would have with Simon Baker.

PJ : "After all these years,  fan of Mentalist deserve an extraordinary end and you did a terrible mistakes It's not fair! "

RJ : "It's totally fair. The show's over and I won" :)