Haffner and Bertram to me seem like the 'bookies favourites' but I just can't get over the fact that they weren't 'there from the start' a comment I saw Bruno Heller say in an interview around when season 2 was out. Now unless this is a lie - and I don't see why he would - that leaves Partridge and the Sheriff McAllister, both great Red Johns in my opinion. Jack Plotnick's a damn good actor and with his first words being 'Red John enters here', and going on to predict every RJ crime scene wrong, having that voice and all round creepy air, makes him an immediate choice. The sheriff also - he's the only one who seems to have complete command of his mental faculties in all situations. Even when Jane exposed his tattoo, he had an amused glint in his eye which betrays an almost psychotic confidence. Brett Stiles aside, the others - Haffner and Bertram especially - are hugely unconvincing Red John's and I personally, would feel very disappointing if they end up being him.
Until S6, I'd written off Partridge as a huge red herring, and clung to the faint hope the list might be a ruse (still might be...)The reason why I've voted Partridge here is based purely upon the first episode of this season, which just doesn't add up. Why was Partridge in that abandoned house, alone? If the real Red John took him there, why on earth did he do that? I imagine it's because he knew Lisbon would come running, but why? He didn't kill her, he painted her face Brett Stiles-esque. Jane appears and immediately screams for water - again, why? He wanted the blood...for a reason.
This theory is convincing me because I know with The Mentalist, it is never simple. With Red John, more so. From Timothy Carter to PJ's fake depression, the real game is going on in the background. The list, and Jane's dramatics at his house, the distraction. Whittling Red John down from a list just seems too simple and...boring to be honest. A fake death followed by mental gymnastics - not investigating BP's body, ignoring that strange character feeding pigeons, investigating the others - would be an awesome way to draw the real RJ out - Partridge...or someone else.
If we find out it's Haffner or worse yet Smith, I will consider never watching the show again!
