Who is Red John?

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List of seven

Thomas McAllister
Thomas McAllister
Reede Smith
Reede Smith
Ray Haffner
Ray Haffner
Gale Bertram
Gale Bertram
Brett Partridge
Brett Partridge
Bret Stiles
Bret Stiles
Bob Kirkland
Bob Kirkland

LATEST THEORIES

Right now, I pick Susan Darcy as Red John.

Note: In season 4, the crimson hat, Darcy shoots the driver then the back seat of the limo.  No officer would do this.  Why?  Because you shoot the tires of a car to disable it.  This shows she has reason to kill Agent Wainwright and the driver.  

This is the 7th episode I have watched and plan to start from the beginning later to revise this theory, if needed.

Red John is a woman.
Red John is jealous of others family happiness.
RJ is a master manipulator.  May have psychological training.
RJ possibly is a sociopath, therefore no morals, just rules.
RJ thinks outside the box as she detects evil in others.
RJ is very cautious and thinks ahead.  She also is able to see life through others eyes.
RJ has contacts inside law enforcement or is an officer/agent.
RJ gets jealous when others credit kills to her or try to "copy cat".

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Theory #288 • By Pie
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It would be cool if Dennis Christopher was Red John.

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RJ has to be someone who has the following access.
computers, media, phone records, big money, time, criminals aka vice especially, pharmeceticals, medical background, political influence,

Bret Styles has access to all the above however, like PJ said " you wouldn't hurt a fly". 

 I think he (Bret) has a pretty good idea of who RJ actually is, but is afraid of him or it's not profitable to him to turn him in. I do think Bret has some modicum of affection for PJ which is why he helped him with Kristina.
They always show RJ with cowboy boots, well made pants, mirroring PJ i.e. cups of tea, lock picking skills, obscure literary references, and generally running PJ through pre-designed mazes. He clearly has access to CBI privileged information, is methodical, and his pride is what will cause him to make "the mistake" that will let PJ catch him. He has access to private information such as addresses which aren't available to general public, my guess is he's in the higher sections of the government. Probaby based in California, because people only watch the news in their local area, so he had to see them on a local channel, access to guns that can't be traced, local because he is definitely driving to some of these places, . although a rundown of airplane passengers int and out of these cities might provide some clues to identity unless he's flyng his own plane. Even then,, he would have to file a flight plan..

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When James shot the sheriff, his dyeing words were Red James Shhhh (and you thought I would say "but he did not shoot the deputy")....then they showed a simple cup of tea; PJ's signature...
Same premise as Sherlock Homes being Moriarty. Not too original.. but very poetic.

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I Love the Mentalist - have watched pretty much every episode but I really have no idea who Red John is and it is eating away at me!!
I think there are several questionable people - LaRoche, Rosalind Harker, Kristina Fry, Susan Darcy...to name but a few! I dont think it can be PJ. Just think it would be a poor ending and it just seems impossible given everything that has happened in various episodes. I think Red John actually models himself a bit on PJ however - drinks tea, sits the same, obviously likes to be in control and does things on his/her terms. I think Patrick may end up being framed due to the similarities and have to perform a bit of his customary magic to get out of it and discover the real Red John.
I tend to like to concentrate on a few key episodes - The Ep where we see RJ in a mask reciting the poem is obviously important, as is the conversation that Kristina Fry has with the waiter where he says Roll Tide - as RJ does at the end to PJ. Also, the episodes with Rosalind are obviously crucial as she knows RJ intimately and in season 4 where she doesnt know there is a body in her closet she seems so agitated when the CBI/FBI arrive. I also think that the upcoming ep S5 Ep5 is going to be clutch - why would they go back and show how Patrick first came into touch with Lisbon and her crew if it wasnt crucial?? So much to ponder, yet still no closer to having a formed opinion as to the identity of RJ - I guess thats why I love the show so much!!

PS. Has anyone else ever noticed how often Patrick taps people on the shoulder twice - other notable characters have also done it and the people they touch often end up dead/missing. I think it may be a little something that could be important. Keep a lookout for it and let me know if anyone else has noticed also!!

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Theory #284 • By Redjohn
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I believe this FBI guy is the redjohn .several reasons, after his entry in the season 3 there was murder in the prison mystery over the rat inside CBI.He once hesitated to save Grace during a shoot out(Rigsby even talks abt it to CHO)

P.S Yet to watch S4 and S5

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He has the ability to influence people and people to commit the crimes. Series 4, Episode 16  (His Thoughts Were Red Thoughts) gave lots of clues, particularly the name. Bret talks about seeking happiness and blowing "red smoke" to release anger. He mentions information at the end of the episode that only the FBI would know and has an obvious need to compete with Jane in mind games. 

An easy pick for Red John.

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