I really have no idea who it is. I am just finishing re-watching every episode for the third time. Every time I feel like I have an idea, there are several reasons to eliminate that suspect. The show seems to really like the term "red herring", and I believe that any "obvious" suspect is just that ("a red herring"). My best guess is that the person works within the cbi and is close to Jane. Not only because it makes sense with the story, but will be good for ratings.
I also think that Red John is probably the actual leader of Visualize and Brett Stiles is just the poster boy.
I have a feeling that they may have changed the identity of Red John as the series progressed. A show never knows how long it will be on the air, so I doubt that the first season gave away too many obvious clues. I think that the 4th and 5th season probably gives us the most info. That being said though, I do think that the clues in s4 / s5 (if accurate) will hold true to events that occurred during the beginning of the show. I think that the shaking hands quote is not literal and is a Red Herring. I do think Jane knows Red John, because Red John would find that amusing.
Brett Partridge fits a lot of the molds and clues, but it does not make good writing sense. I find it hard to believe that they would make a crime scene investigator the killer. It follows Dexter too closely and doesn't make for creative writing.
Kirkland is too obvious.
Any of the inner circle would be too far of a stretch.
I have considered Ron for quite a while. I find that he is a good bet. There is nothing too obvious and a lot of speculation, but the speculation makes sense in several instances. He is a Waldo character. Ron, however, has always had a beard and Rossalind never mentions a beard in her description. The main problem I have with Ron is the fact that he is so awkward. I think that the actor who plays Ron struggles. I find it hard to believe that the will cast Ron as Red John because I think he is going to have to do some serious acting in the final season.
Like I said, I am no farther ahead after watching The Mentalist 300+ times. All I know is that I will be sad when its done.......but I am still dying to know. Please just don't fade to black like Sopranos.
