I don't know if he's Red John....but in real life Haffner would be the only one of the final seven that's handsome, young , and charming enough to seduce women...the rest of the suspects are either too old or too weird or both...

And I wish those websites worked here in America.

I used to like the DA Ardiles for it before the suspect list was released as I thought he would have been the most likely, but since then I've had to get my thinking cap on.

A while ago when it became apparent that we were dealing also with some sort secret organisation directly or indirectly connected to Red John as followers or groupies I thought there was really only one character who could inspire that kind of following: Ray Haffner. I know quite a few others have thought this too. He always seems to have something barely concealed below the surface. A rage perhaps.

It always intrigued me how Brett Stiles and Visualize came into it though. The answer soon smacked me right in the face. Haffner is Stiles' son. He and Visualize have been protecting him, or are being manipulated by Haffner/Red John for a long time, I prefer the manipulation line as I quite like old Brett Stiles to be honest. I hope he'll give Haffner up to Jane in the end or have some sort of clash of conscience. As for the other three guys with the tattoos (and the others we haven't seen) well, they are probably just Red John's dogs, and a few more of them might come out of the woodwork in the coming weeks. Lisbon? No, couldn't be......

A question for someone who has payed more attention than I... We know there was a "big clue" in the Brett Partridge death scene that "will be revealed later." Also, someone in an older thread discussed the pigeons in that house and how they might be a clue... I've been very active on this board, but one thing no one really seemed to address well is the question of why Brett Partridge was at that house. He's definitely dead and was killed. Did RJ or someone else follow Brett their and kill him? Was Brett acting on a tip, a hunch, or a directive in going to that house before getting killed? Curious questions. I think it's odd no one has questioned why Brett might have been at that house.

Sorry to disappoint folks, but I can tell you that if you think Red John is Brett Partridge or Walter Mashburn, guess what? You will be wrong.

I love all the theories, but again, trust this, neither Mashburn or Partridge is Red John.

One last time. Mashburn is not Red John. Partridge is not Red John. If you don't believe me, let's chat again after episode 8. I guarantee you though, after episode 8, you will not be telling me RJ is either of those two cats.

I've been scrolling down through theories and came across several that directly states or implies that Bruno Heller's writing is getting 'shitty' or somewhere along those lines. I find that extremely offensive on his behalf as he was able to keep majority of us intrigued thus far. We don't know who Red John is yet, and I have hope that everything will be explained in the following 2 episodes. Yeah.. just had to state that, I really love the Mentalist and love Bruno Heller for creating it!! 

Anyways, does anyone think there's any significant when O'Laughlin kind of rips the necklace off Van Pelt just before he dies? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYtvydPDWxY @ 2:20. I'm probably reading into things way too much, but I really thought it was bugged or something, so Red John was able to listen in on the team. 

Oh and if Walter Mashburn is in the 'Red John' episode, he'll probably be there to help Jane escape to South America, due to his wealth he'll be able to do that. Just a theory.

So excited for the next few episodes!!
Happy theorizing :)  

I believe it is Haffner. The #1 reason is because Lorelei Martin said "Im surprised you did not become life long friends", she also talked about how similar they are. I would suspect that RJ is not overtly showing his true colors but there is one place that is almost impossible to hide and that is the heart. 

Haffner and Jayne are both in love with Lisbon. If RJ killed Partridge and spared Lisbon, the most likely reason is due to love. Also Lisbon was going to go out with Haffner and definitely has feelings for Jane. It is like Lisbon is attracted to a type, a type RJ and Jane are both. 

Also, I keep asking why not kill Jane and other than toying, it seems that RJ is at war with Tyger Tyger and want to kill all the members and is using Jane to help find them. Haffner has ties to the Barn and vizualize. It makes the most sense to me.