It's gotta be ray hafner. Doc described him to a T and leaving lisbons hospital bed he whistled on his way out. At the time that stuck with me as creepy but she said he's a good whistler so that's gotta be the reason heller made him whistle. Bob Kirkland could be Rj but I thought it was ray since the end of last season. I think eventually Lisbon will remember him whistling leaving this hospital room. Either way this is gonna be a great season!
I don't think that there wasn't a leader.
When Patrick tells about how his former psychatrist was murdered Reede Smith looked to Sheriff Thomas McAllister like what the hell have you've been doing, I am shocked (almost disgusted) by it.
So I think Reede - with 3 e - ;o))) works for Red John and Call me TOM ;o) is Red John.
in theory #5288, user 'Becky' posted a link to the canadian promo for episode 6.03.
it shows jane hanging from a ledge, and mcallister walking towards him. i'm guessing this is a ruse by jane to see if mcallister can handle the heights ("roth" went to see sophie miller because of acrophobia). i expect mcallister to be ruled out by the end of episode 3, though he will look damn creepy the whole time.
of course, that assumes that sophie's dictation on the recorder about the fear of heights is true. i'm gonna believe it is, because i think red john would need to demonstrate some 'vulnerability' as a measure of good faith with a psychiatrist, or anyone he was trying to manipulate.
you don't build true trust and connection to a broken or damaged person by coming off as an invincible father figure, like red john is perceived to be. people will flock to that, but they don't stay with that. you build trust and get closer to people by reciprocating a vulnerability. sort of like when a man or woman falls for a "bad girl" or "bad boy." there is that "i'll fix you, you'll fix me" belief. if you're hurt, you want to hear that other people know what it's like to hurt. i'm betting that has something to do with how red john is able to bend people over time.
here is the link previously posted by Becky, to that canadian promo. credit to her for finding the link in the first place :)
http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/10/the-mentalist-episode-603-wedding-in_6991.html
He is my bet through elimination IF Red John is one man.
Brett Stiles - Red John was said to be a Visualise member as a young man at the farm - Brett is older than the other people who were talking about the young guy, also, he is the founder/leader of the org.
Reed, McAllister, Bertram and Kirkland - All have had meetings together and none seemed like a leader.
(Kirkland and Bertram's meeting was just the two of them, however, Kirkland did seem superior)
Haffner - Fits the description, was a Visualise member at the right time. - odd one out.
Second guess - Kirkland seems like the leader of the other 3, but may not be involved at all)
Third guess - McAllister seems very Red John cult leader-ish
As big perm touched on:
Let's rule out:
Reede. He's chubby period.
Styles. He's too old.
Bertram. Heller said "RED JOHN IS A WHERES WALDO CHARACTER". Bertram is a regular. Period.
McAllister. PLEASE the dexter and Sopranos writers would be better than a Mcallister red john
Kirkland is a FORMER RJ VICTIM. That's why he changed his look. To track RJ unnoticed.
Haffner the seasons "Red herring".
BRETT PARTRIDGES VOICE MATCHES!!!!!
Go to YouTube and search "Jane meets Brett Partridge"
And watch the "forensics guy" video. You'll be CONVINCED!!!
Just wanted to point out, in case anyone missed it, that Reede Smith whistled in Bertram's office after Jane left. Could this be a clue?
Not a theory but a prediction. I think the viewers will know who RJ is before PJ. These episodes will allow the viewer to learn about RJ and how he decided who to murder and how he manipulated people. There will be flashbacks to events in the show that will show clues throughout the series and how it leads to RJ.