I'll second and piggyback some of the previous Minelli posters, who make good points.

Go back and watch the early episodes, they're a better indicator of the true essence of the show.

Opening title sequence - Mentalist - def. - A master manipulator of thoughts and behavior.

Jane is not going to get Red John by suspects being eliminated one by one.  It shouldn't be the butler with the candlesticks in the pantry.  That would be very disappointing to me.

He is not behind Red John, he is one step ahead.  This is high level chess, not a Milton Bradley board game.

Much more satisfying for the audience and truer to the character of Jane is a gambit - def. - a chess opening in which a player risks one or more pawns to gain an advantage in position.

The carney performer with the brilliant mind is performing master manipulation.  Don't pay attention to the misdirection or the sleight of hand.  Who's whistling or who's afraid of birds will not lead to the endgame.  Red John made a mistake, and Jane will press the advantage, perhaps the audience isn't even privy to that information.

I wouldn't hold it against Heller if he's not being completely forthright with the list of suspects.  Deceit is a part of manipulation.  It has reengaged the audience, and let them know there will be a Red John payoff. 

Minelli is a good suspect as others have pointed out.  I would only say the last episode of season 1 casts a lot of suspicion on him.  He's the one who pointed out Tagliaferro translates to "cut iron" which led them to Sheriif Hardy's farmhouse, which Red John was trying to lure Jane to.

Could Minelli have been Red John in the farmhouse room calmly sipping tea taking in the whole scene?  Very possible.  His age fits with being a friend of Hardy's father.

From Heller's perspective, it's possible The Mentalist was not going to be greenlighted for season two.  He could've completed the story arc after 23 episodes by having Jane confront Minelli at the farmhouse.  Remember Jane was onto Hardy, and was willing to sacrifice his own life to draw out Red John.

How is it that Red John has so many followers and disciples who do his bidding and are willing to die for him?  It can't be all because of his devilish charm and powers of persuasion.  He has extreme leverage on them some how.  If wicked, Minelli as the head of CBI would have that leverage.  The law enforcement connections, who gets promoted, who gets a job.  If discovered, the power to send depraved criminals like Timothy Carter to jail for life - or as a reprieve from Red John, a second chance at redemption.  Seems like we've heard many of Red John's followers paraphrase words like that.

That's my two cents, really enjoy the website and people's different theories.  Some stuff I never would've thought of - Ellis Mars - playing a bumbling psychic in plain sight - "He is Mar" Spanish translation - "El es Mar" - went right over my head.  I'm going with my first instinct though and sticking with Minelli.

Do what you have to do Patrick, rooting for you mate

In the Season 5 finale, Lisbon and Jane were talking about happy
memories. She told him that her happy memory was about her mother
feeding pigeons.

I imagine when Red John is revealed, things will take place in a similar fashion with this scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAxEQYqo7no


Whoever RJ is, he knows how to put on a facade!

Here's a thought...

Does anyone know exactly what we've supposedly been told will happen in episode 8 this year?  Because I wonder...

Do you think there's any chance that Red John's identity is going to be revealed to the audience, but not to Patrick Jane...?

In other words, could it be that our hunt for Red John will be ending, but their hunt for him will still continue?

Alternately, maybe they learn who he is, but can't do anything with that knowledge yet.  For example, what if they learn Red John is the man in charge of the Tyger, Tyger conspiracy within law enforcement?

That scenario could probably play out two ways:

1.  If Red John knows that they know who he is, then he'd almost certainly try to eliminate them.  One or more of them would likely have to go on the run, and they'd have to work outside the system trying to find a way to bring him down (possibly with one or more remaining "on the inside" if RJ doesn't know that those people know, etc.)  For example, Jane and Lisbon might have to hide/run/work in the shadows, while Cho becomes the new supervising agent at CBI or something (and tries to help them when he can).

2.  If Red John doesn't know that they know who he is, then things proceed more similarly to the way they have been, but with the focus now on exposing Tyger Tyger in order to be able to bring down Red John.

Of course, this is just one possible idea.  The general thought is just wondering whether revelation of Red John's identity will actually end the Red John story arc by bringing some kind of end to Jane's quest for vengeance, or whether it will somehow transform the nature of the quest rather than ending it...