I don't believe it is Thomas McAllister, however so far we've had more hints towaqrd him than everyone else. In the latest episode, we learnt he was afraid of heights, people may argue that he was up on the roof at the end, but i think RJ would do anything to keep PJ alive, don't you? And just to add he was shitting bricks when the pigeon flew in! and who's afraid of pigeons? That's right,RED JOHN! Just as an extra little bit, probably insignificant, but when on the phone with Jane, he sounded a bit like Red John with a deeper voice! He was also able to read the dead guy quite well! Just my theory:-)

I've been reading your comments for a while and while I too hate this list, I think it's time we all gave up the nonsense and accepted the list of seven as true. Over the summer I rewatched all the seasons (as I guess most of us did) and came to a few conclusions that have been reinforced by the three episodes so far (as well as the previews for E4). What does this mean? Either I've watched way too much tv in my life or I'm following the writers path perfectly which means I'm totally wrong :(

My thoughts on the 7 so far:
1) Brett partridge is dead
2) bob kirkland is trying to kill red John for his own reasons, believes the fake list he had his homeland security buddies steal from Patrick is the real list and is killing off all the suspects to make sure he gets red John
3) bret stiles is too old, wouldn't harm a fly according to Patrick, seemed friendly enough with Patrick (yes there is the scene with Hightower I know) from the start and really seems to be a third wheel to the red John - Patrick dynamic
4) Reede smith doesn't have control of his temper, does not fit the physical description provided by multiple sources, etc.
5) Gale Bertram is methodical, an emotional loner, recites the poem, etc but like smith doesn't really fit the description and, if we are going to take heller at his word (never a good idea) wasn't introduced until the third season premier. Not ruling him out but marking him as least likely of the three front runners for me.
6) ray haffner fits everything we know or suspect so far. Might have been at the farm, best matches the physical description, was in the FBI and CBI so connections would abound, seemed to be charismatic enough to both lead a CBI team and have Bertram think he could handle Patrick. Might have let Patrick break up his team to watch him work. Still seems too crammed down our throat especially the hospital bed scene with Lisbon, and if hes leaving Lisbon alive as a potential crutch for Patrick (always worried about her) or test for his loyalty (kill her and we can be friends) then why try and sway her to come work for him and leave Patrick?
7) Tom Mcallister - has been my front runner from the start. Others have championed his cause better than I could, fits description well enough, has been there from the start, etc. oh wait and now we have the hunter quotes and the pigeon issue "get it off me...hate those things." almost feels like he's being fed to us but in every scene/episode he's been in, doesn't he seem to hang back ala Waldo and let others do things. No guarantees but like I said he's my front runner and I'm sticking with him...thoughts?

First, I will write an observation that made recently. When RJ paints the smiley face when he kills, he does so with 3 fingers, and the outline of the face looks like an mirrored 6. So it is RJ's way of embedding "666" in every kill. On the first episode of season 6, 666 was written on the wall as well as the pentagram. I think this ties well with the great theory detailing how RJ is attached to the works of William Blake.

Now, regarding the latest episode, I am starting to believe that McAllister might be RJ. I don't know if that is where Bruno Heller is steering our minds, but I think I am starting to see him as RJ. Now let's examine the facts:

1- The person who presumably killed Partridge and presented himself as J. Roth fears birds. Also, episode 2 was titled "black winged red bird", which might be a clue to who RJ really is. 

2- He has an acute sense of smell, shown when he knew that the dead man was a Pizza delivery guy by the smell of oregano. RJ has a smell fetish as demonstrated by the fake RJ when he detailed the smell of PJ's wife and daughter.

3- McAllister said" duck-pond killer case" which shows what he noticed the most about the pond, birds.

4- Fear of birds confirmed on the rooftop.

5- McAllister voice. I am not sure about his voice, but it seemed to me close to RJ's voice.

RJ might be McAllister, or McAllister might be a bait to distract us from the clues that point to the real RJ. However, for me, I would be disappointed if the real RJ was McAllister.

Also, a few questions about the promo of next week's episode:

1- Is the list with Kirkland the same as the one with the 7 suspects by PJ?

2- Was Lorelei Martin alive when Kirkland showed her body to PJ? I am thinking about this since last season because Kirkland infiltrated PJ's room after Lorelei was shown as if she was killed by RJ. If she was really killed at that time, then Kirkland apparently doesn't work for RJ since he won't be torturing PJ for the list in the next episode. However, if Lorelei was alive by the time of Kirkland infiltration, then the list of 7 is no longer valid, and Kirkland wants the real list of suspects from PJ. Heller didn't say that the list is the real one, he just said that the real RJ is among the suspects on the list.

I hope we don't have a bunch of people saying its McAllister cuz he's afraid of birds or pigeons.

That's WAY TOO OBVIOUS!

Biggest red herring in TV history, or the real deal?

End of 6x3, bird flys in front of McAllister and scares the shit out of him. He says "Didn't see that coming". 

I didn't want to believe the pidgin theory, but damnit, might be true. 

Here I am for my last theory.
After I watch ep.6x03 I finally know who Red John is!
it's Sheriff Thomas "Tom" McAllister, I'm 100% sure.
After I've watched this episode I know I was right about RJ's phobia;
This is my previous theory about it:
http://www.whoisredjohn.com/See-a-theory-Red-John/5302
I was wrong about pointing the finger on Haffner, but I was right about the pigeons.

And this is my previous theory about McAllister. Obviously now he is my main (and only) suspect! :D
http://www.whoisredjohn.com/See-a-theory-Red-John/3578

So, that's all! I can't wait to see the great performance of Xander Berkeley as Red John: he will be amazing!

Argh!! 

After leading us to believe McAllister was afraid of heights twice in this episode and hence Red John, he then saves Jane's life by climbing on to the roof with ease. Just as we breathe a sigh of relief, a pigeon flies into the roof of the bell tower and scares the life out of him! Is this what stopped Red John from killing Lisbon? The presence of pigeons in the house?

Is Red John's phobia birds?

Bruno Heller - you are an amazing director for all the details! Thank you for this wonderful show!



(PS, I'm adamant it's Partridge nonetheless but I love that we are being screwed with!)