Just some observations. With all of the possible red herrings in this show, take these as no more than possibly being the same.
In 'If it Bleeds, it Leads' Kirkland asks Lisbawn (pronounciation probably doesn't matter, but hey, it was cute) to call him 'Bob'.
On the list of 7 that Lorelei reads to Jane, all of the suspects names are said aloud in full--with exception of Robert Kirkland whose name is stated as Bob Kirkland. I find it a bit strange that even the Sheriff's complete name is given. Same with Raymond Haffner. Those names could have easily been said/written using only say, 'Tom' or 'Ray'. Does/did Red John know Bob personally? Is Bob/Michael Red John?
In 'Red Sails In the Sunset' Bob is talking to someone named Tom before Lisbon comes in--Sheriff? Tyger Tyger folk?
Furthermore, I'm a bit confused by the events of 'Behind the Red Curtain' where Kirkland (either Bob or possibly Michael) kills Lennon. Bob/Michael says that if he were ever in Lennon's position--going to jail for murder--that he'd hope he had a friend to essentially kill him as he does with Lennon. However, Bob doesn't seem too pleased about dying at the hands of Reede Smith despite his imprisonment and inevitable jail time... Maybe because he couldn't pass on his info to Jane, or because it was Michael in the hospital and not Bob. (As a side: the talk about Kirkland's tie changing colour is interesting, but it should be noted that at least a day passes until he's wearing a different tie, which to me, doesn't seem too strange.)
One more thing I'm curious about has to do with Partridge. Why did he say that he had been working Red John's crime scenes since he (Red John) began near the end of Season 5? In the very first episode he said that he was stoked to finally see one (Red John crime scene) in the flesh... Maybe he was working in the lab during the first discovered killings?
I also find it strange that Rosalind found Roy's address on a business card as she is blind. Maybe she had someone read it to her or it had lifted/stamped text she could feel. I've always thought it was neat how Red John has the same tea cup as Rosalind at the end of Season 1...
I'd like to be surprised by the reveal. I feel like Patrick has a plan in motion as some of his and the apparent Red John's actions just seem out of the norm--like the tattoo thing (would Red John really allow this info get to PJ by accident?)
Anyways, I think that there's more to the Kirkland thing. Maybe Michael is Red John, or knows him. Maybe Partridge will come back, but while I really like Partridge, I always saw Kirkland's character more fitting. But hey, maybe that's the point. Maybe Red John shouldn't be who we'd expect at all, he is Red John after all.
