I think that , obviously Red John is a much older guy as he has been killing for years, however, the writers of the show want to create an organisation so that after we know who Red John is the show still has a storyline to continue into another season. 

If there are several people working for Red John it makes sense to flush them out in almost every other episode. What would be interesting is to see how he actually indoctrinates them into doing whatever he wants and then killing themselves when caught. 

In short i think its Bret Stiles he has that power to convince, however i don't think he has the physical capability to do so , so his killings are performed by someone younger, he is just the man behind the curtain. 

They killed our creativity and ideas.

It was really nice till season 5 started. First 3 seasons, very enjoyable. In season 4, things got more complicated, but still nice. Lorelei was so charming when we first saw her, and in season 5, we hoped that Lorelei will turn and tell Jane who RJ is. She didn't, still OK.

But something really changed in season 5 finale, when we were given the list. 

I remember checking this website that day and there were many theories, that told that the list is not real. According to those theories, RJ was not in the list and that seemed a good possiblity. 

Then Bruno said the list is real and CBS told that RJ is one of 7. And we were all devastated. Mashburn fans were sooo angry. I was angry too, but not because of that, because they took our right to create theories about the list's being real or not.

As much as I like watching Mentalist, I also enjoy reading and writing theories here. It is a part of enjoyable process, and amazing ideas can be seen here.

While some people still denied the list, some of us continued to work on 7 suspects. We tried to find which one is RJ (there wasn't much evidence except for Kirkland, Bertram and Stiles).

I never liked the idea of eliminating suspects. We are given 7 names, which means that the surprise effect is mostly gone. When RJ is revealed, we know who he can be, currently by %20 chance. This is riddiculous and stupid. We wait for years for this great mystery, yet we are officially spoiled by producer and the channel.

And they even continued to kill our ideas during this season. Never once did I suspect Partridge, but some people really thought it was him and right after he died, they created an official picture of Partridge written "DEAD" on him. Maybe I would give credit to theories that say he is not dead. But no, we are forced in a certain way.

And why? Just for ratings. Just to have more viewers, our enjoyment is completely ruined.

And they have messed up so badly that to make each of 7 suspects suspicious, they have created something called Tyger Tyger club, and each episode we listen to dialogues between potential members.

Is it so hard to keep it simply between Jane and RJ? Who had this stupid idea? If I want to watch such ordinary stuff, there are tons of films and series that include them. An FBI driver, an FBI agent and many high level officers say Tyger Tyger to each other like high school kids and cover for each other. This has no room in The Mentalist.

It is going very unnatural. Every episode one suspect is so unrealistic. He is trying to rush it and there is a huge hole in the plot now. Kirkland didn't ask Lennon the identity of RJ. He could take all his time and work on him, yet he didn't. Why? So that we could suspect Kirkland, who very interestingly matches Rosalind's description, for almost a year. They planted him to attract viewers to story, yet when they killed him, he left a hole there. This is simply stupid work.

Interestingly, all the clues we had so far went to waste. Why? Because this stupid list is only based on the fact that Jane shook RJ's hand. There is information that Jane knows but RJ doesn't know.

Remember the woman doctor who gave Jane a scientific report of RJ's character?
Or the chat between Jane and priest that worked in barn? That chat auto removes Stiles from list due to his age, and RJ didn't know that Jane has that info.

Why did Jane include Stiles in the list? All clues except shaking hand were for nothing? Instead, the clues will be given in the following rushed 3 episodes. The list makes no sense. The people in the list are chosen to engage move viewers. 

The list of suspects doesn't even fit the official statements. Before season 4, they told that RJ apperaed before. (http://www.whoisredjohn.com/See-a-theory-Red-John/6337)

Yet in list, there is Bob, Ray and Smith. Of course characters in the mentalist does not know that, but there isn't one bit of intelligent work put by writers to create the list. We shouldn't be able to remove 3 suspects this easily with a statement from 2 years ago.

I really adored this show for years, but the mistakes and nonsenses and stupidities make me feel disappointed. And I will be disappointed no matter what when RJ is revealed, because I have literally started to hate the writers and Bruno since season 5 finale.

I think, when RJ is revealed, I will just assume that Timothy Carter was Red John, and season 3 was the final episode.  

If RJ turns isn't just a single person then i'd feel very cheated !!

Who's Jane supposed to kill ? Like 3 to 4 people ?

Who agrees ?