[This is my first post - I've been reading others' for hours, but sorry if this has all already been said. This is sort of just a random jumble of my RJ related thoughts.]

I am finding it very difficult to figure out who Red John is from Jane's final list. In my opinion, they are all either too obvious, or just wrong in some way. 

Bret Styles, for example - he's a freaking cult leader with hundreds of willing followers at his disposal. Not to mention he knew where to find Kristina Frye. He is just too Red John-ish for me to think he actually is RJ. Unless he is obviously too obvious (if that makes sense haha), a sort of 'hiding in plain sight' deal. But I don't think so.

As for the people who are obviously wrong - Reede Smith. Apart from the fact that he is such a minor character who barely made any impression, he just doesn't fit Rosalind's description. Unless she was lying for some reason (but I doubt it).

Bertram is an interesting possibility - I thought it would be almost funny if it was him, and the whole 'assassin with the rope' thing was a sort of game for him. Imagine if he was RJ, and Jane had been this close to accusing him of being an accomplice before figuring out the significance of the rope, and nabbing O'Loughlin. However, Bertram just doesn't seem smart or 'mentalist' enough to be RJ... Unless it's all an act. 

The only people I seriously considered were Kirkland and Partridge. To be frank, they both give me the creeps. Partridge definitely has the high voice, and Kirkland is all kinds of suspicious. But neither of them feel like Red John, although they definitely could be followers.

Honestly? I think when Bruno Heller said that RJ is 'definitely on the final list' he was misleading us. I suppose he would have to say that regardless of if he was or not - if he said 'maybe' then the whole storyline would be for nothing. He is very clever in his interviews, like he is playing a game with us all. I think he is a bit of a genius, and I am convinced that he has been subtly giving us RJ's identity this whole time - we just have to put together the right clues.

There are still a lot of things bothering me - the whole 'he is mar/man' thing has been on my mind throughout the whole show, as has Kristina Frye and 'roll tide'. Everything must connect somehow...

What I do know is that Red John has to be someone who is a lot like Jane (either openly or under the surface): charismatic, highly intelligent, manipulative, a very capable hypnotist, warm on the surface with coldness underneath. If it wasn't such an already disproven theory, I might suggest Jane himself.

Anyway, sorry for this ramble - I'm sure it's all been said. I just needed to put my random RJ thoughts out there before they drove me insane. This site is incredible!

Patrick being held in Child Protection Services (CPS) can lead this story to somewhere else? Or somewhere specific? I mean there might be 2 main reasons why you were taken by that institution would be:

a- You're and orphan and they take you in for protection until 18yo, or until someone comes adopting you
b- You get exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation by your family members, and you are taken under protection for some time

What was the reason behind Patrick's involvement with CPS? He said he "spent a little time there", this makes us think that he might have been involved in option B but the concept "a little time" can be argued. Such rounded expressions are used when one feels bad about something he/she experienced.

So, can we think that Patrick was adopted by Alex whereas he was actually someone else's child? Or we should think that Alex is his real father but he was so wicked that his boy could end up being in CPS after whatever happened between them? What do these 2 options give us as clues? If anyone can generate a theory in this perpective, please share. We knew about the asylum but this CPS thing is rather new and must not be empty. He could have just seen tat institution on his way to somewhere but he feels the necessity to inform us about his involvement as a reason why he knows the place already. So I think it can't be just simple like talking about hamburgers right?  

 

I just re-watched Red John's Rules. After Patrick calls the number written on the wall at the murder site, he says "Child Protection Services Carson Springs...well when I was a kid, I spent a little time there". It just occurred to me that is when the "happy memory" could have been relayed. They keep records no doubt on the children who come through there. I've been racking my brain about the "happy memory" and have previously thought it was discovered when he was institutionalized, but it makes more sense that it could have come out say with a therapist when he was younger and that he forgot about it. The files would be easily accessible to Ms Gotlieb. Also something that really stands out to me is when Patrick and Lisbon are talking in the car, he says "Assuming Lorelei is telling the truth...". Why didn't he say, "assuming Lorelei was telling the truth"? Can't wait til the new season!

 Everybody says it cant be Bob Kirkland simply because he  was introduced in Season 5 episode 5. However that episode is a throwback episode showing how Jane met Lisbon and eventually was hired as a consultant to the CBI.  When we see Bob Kirkland for the first time its in the back of the limo after Virgil Minelli talks to Alexis Shultz. We then learn that Bob Kirkland has been there since the beginning. We just didnt know that till season 5. 

Now I will ask you this: What was the point of Alexis telling Minelli that Patrick was in an insane asylum? Maybe it was to get Milelli to think think Patrick shouldnt be trusted? Also in the season 4 finale when Patrick when he and "Redjohn" are talking Redjohn mentions the fact that he has a friend in the FBI. Alexis Shultz is in the FBI....coincidence?
 One last thing I must mention. Remember how Bruno Heller mentions the "Where is Waldo?" Game? What does Waldo always wear? Red and white. What does Kirkland always wear? A white shirt and some type of red tie. I dont know for sure if Kirkland is "RedJohn" but it is very good possiblity...