I've realized something and have changed my mind. Mostly I don't care who RJ is as long as it is original, well written, and mostly lives up to the great mystery that has been created. I also never real cared who others think RJ is or want RJ to be (even the people who saw Partridge die on screen and still think he will come back from the dead).

What I realized tho, and please take no offense (though I can understand if some do), but when he hear people wanting Mashburn, Stiles, or Partridge, to be RJ, I think they dont realize they are rooting for a cliche. The reason the "rich guy secret killer," or "forensics guy killer," or the charismatic spiritual leader hidden criminal mastermind" are all cliches, is because they've been done very well and written well on many shows and movies. When I see folks putting their theories out there I can't help but think, "I bet this guy forgot that they saw a similar character on a similar show and it was a good twist." The problem with any of those three being RJ, is that it will be fairly unoriginal and very cliche. Even the "small town sheriff secret murderer" is a bit cliche...sorry Xander.

I am also in the "anybody but Reed" camp, but even if it turns out to be him, I may not be dissapointed if they write/develop the hell out of the backstory and it is original.

Originally I thought Hafner was a lazy character add by Heller to add another red herring and I really thought Partride was RJ until we saw him die and watched as Lisbon pretty much confirmed he was dead. Next, I thought Hafner was RJ (so many clues and descriptions fit and it feels right). Whats changed is that even though I didnt care if it really was Hafner, I do now. I really want it to be Hafner.

I feel like if I took over now, Heller has set it up perfectly that I could right one hell of an original backstory and conclusion. To see Hafner's mostly bland character with no real typical Hollywood serial killer cliche show another side and completely transform to be RJ could be a marvelous thing to watch.

See Simon and Reed Diamond lock eyes during the kill scene. See the devious side of Hafner that none of us can really imagine until its shown to us by the actor on the TV. could be a very cool thing, and it would be very original.