red herring
noun
noun: red herring; plural noun: red herrings
1.
a dried smoked herring, which is turned red by the smoke.
synonyms:
bluff,
blind,
ruse,
feint,
deception,
subterfuge,
hoax,
trick,
ploy,
device,
wile,
sham,
pretence,
artifice,
cover,
smokescreen,
distraction,
expedient,
contrivance,
machination;
More
informaldodge,
put-on,
put-up job
"it's more of a red herring than a legitimate plot
element"
2.
a clue or piece of information which is or is intended to
be misleading or distracting.
Indulge me for a few minutes please. – Speculation and a lot
of thinking out loud.
If the actor playing red John himself thought HE (the role he
played) was a red herring, that tells us a lot actually. It means the role he
played was full of stories, hints, clues, background details and the like. If
he was simply a ‘bland’ character; without background or any information surrounding
him – he couldn’t be a legitimate red herring? (i.e. CBI Ron), as there would be no
obvious questions to ask of the character. We the audience decided for example CBI Ron was ‘creepy’ and ‘always
there’. Yes, that is technically a red herring, but not enough of one to leave
us guessing, talking, questioning loopholes in his story/timelines etc.
That means he has to have been a character with ‘meat’ – a character
that left more questions than answers in terms of storyline. Logical = Kirkland.
(Haffner also qualifies to an extent)
Kirkland is dead the people say? Yeah right – so is Thomas
Macallister, but we see him jumping through a window.
Cordero, who we now know
is a TT foot soldier, dealt with Kirklands forensic report.
I saw Smith shoot 7
times, but the report says 6 shots. Reed Smith was the biggest patsy in TT – he
thought he had killed Kirkland, but all he had done was provide RJ with his
escape plan.
Carson Springs/City is going to play a huge role in this
somewhere. (My thinking out loud starts)
Perhaps social services/protective custody is where PJ and
RJ actually FIRST met, not the carnival as most speculate. Jane spent time there, he admitted it to
Lisben when he called the number of Child Protective services.
Tragic backgrounds, abusive fathers – Kirkland (or whatever
his name was back then and Jane). Young kids stuck in the ‘system’. Perhaps
Jane teased/fooled/scammed/taunted Kirkland (or his brother – that’s if there
IS a twin – I’m doubting that now...but there could well have been one who died
earlier in life). There could also be a sister for all we know.
Kirkland’s
stories to Lisben and Jane about ‘moving’ , growing up in ‘America’, ‘mom’s
suicide’ etc contained SOME truths, but a lot of untruths as well – part of the
game.
After their time in protective custody:
RJ moves on to Vizualise where Brett Stiles becomes the
father he never had. (But Stiles is ALSO an abusive father to an extent –
brainwashing etc)
Patrick Jane goes back to his father, leaves the carnival
and moves up the world of psychic scamming.
Years later – RJ sees PJ on television, recognises him, and
once more PJ is taunting him (as happened many years back) and its game on.
However – RJ, after taking Patricks family away yearns for a
true friend, someone who suffered with him and knows pain/abandonment and abuse
– Patrick. That is when he starts reaching out, yet NEVER losing his
competitive edge or his slight ‘jealousy’ of Jane. A very symbiotic relationship.
Which is why I
believe RJ dying is going to be sad on some level, however much of a sociopath
he is.
Those who have seen the final episode make reference to the brilliant
performance by the actor who plays ‘RJ’. Now I might be biased, but amongst those
we have left as viable RJ suspects – there are only 2 who could successfully
add the necessary emotional ‘flesh’ needed to pull of the ‘RJ’ character as his
true self.
Malcolm MacDowell and Kevin Corrigan (character actors of
the highest calibre).
Its’ not MacDowell (and if it was, he wouldn’t have said he
is ‘honoured’ to become a part of pop culture – because MacDowell and his role
in ‘Clockwork Orange’ did that already – many years back)
Without repeating all my theories as to why Kirkland is RJ
(Bob/Michael – either or – or neither as Bob’s story was nothing more than one
huge red herring for Jane’s benefit); I’m sticking with Kirkland. (or whatever
his name was before he became Kirkland........the minute he says this – Jane will
know who he is – the kid he knew while they were in protective custody)
Perhaps Stiles and Haffner will still have a role to play.
MacAllister we know does – but as a RJ foot soldier still.
Oh, and everything Jane has said since the Episode 1 of this
season, has been for the benefit of the listening device Lisben has planted on
her. RJ hasn’t missed a word of what has been discussed. Jane has known this for ages though, so 99% of what has been
revealed and said by Jane, has been purely for RJ’s benefit, and to pull him in
to Jane’s ‘end game’.
Kirkland did ask Lisben when they had coffee in series 5, if
Jane tells her ‘everything’ about RJ – and she answers honestly – YES (she can’t
lie.....). Kirkland decided right then to risk bugging her.
So the ‘I’m letting go’ whilst in the lift – that was Jane
cueing ’RJ’ for the final showdown.
Hoping for an EPIC Baker vs Corrigan. Jane vs RJ scene. (I’m
glad I refused to believe a senior citizen was RJ)
And if it isn’t Kirkland, I hope it’s Partridge. Simply
because after all the grief Partridge and Kirkland ‘fans’ have received round here, I would like one of the ‘UNDEAD’
to receive the RJ glory.
