This episode was interesting.

Robert Kirkland and Jason Lennon chat:

RK: You are one tough SOB Jason Lennon. You really are.
JL: Where am I? What happened?
RK: You are in Sacramento, you got shot. Do you remember that?
JL: Yes I do. Lorelei Martins.
RK: Correct, very good. Good, your mind is clear. Now listen, I have a question for you Jason, look at me. Look close. You recognise me? You ever seen me before? 
JL: No.
RK: Are you sure? It's important.
JL: Yes. I'm sure.
RK: It's good to know. Thanks.
JL: Who are you?
RK: I'm a friend. Let's face facts Jason. If you recover, and live, you'll spend life in prison for murder at the play thing of monsters. I just hope, that if I am ever in your shoes, I have a friend close enough to do this for me.
JL: Wait.
RK: Don't be scared, this'll be quick, with very little pain. It's okay, it's  allright. I am here for you, I won't leave you.


I would like to analyse this.

1) When Kirkland says that he is a tough son of a bitch, it is very informal and as if he knew him before. You just dont say people that they are a tough sob when they are shot. You gotto have a history. Maybe you already know that he is tough, or just figure of speech.

2) Look at me, look close. Are you sure? It is important. And then, after taking a breath, which is like a relief, he says it is good to know, thanks. 

Now, Jason thinks he hasn't met Kirkland before. But obviously, they have met. But why is it important? He is going to kill the guy no matter what, so whether Jason knows Kirkland or not is not not related to any crime. It is personal.  It is more of a confirmation for Kirkland that Jason can't recognise him, even though they know each other.

3) I am a friend. Not I am a friend of Red John. A direct I am a friend.  So, Kirkland was a friend of Jason.

4) I just hope, that if I am ever in your shoes, I have a friend close enough to do this for me. He considers himself as close to Jason, he is a close friend of Jason.

I believe, that Kirkland himself is Red John. I have always considered him as a friend of Red John. But after this, I think it is him.

My Theory: RJ had a surgical operation to change his face. Why else would he ask Jason to look closer at his face and tell whether he recognises. He is gonna kill Jason, why else would it matter whether he recognises him or not. If his close friend Jason from years ago can't recognise him, surely this means the operation is a big success. Nothing to worry. And since he doesn't want his friend to spend his life in prison, he does Jason a favor and kills him in a painless way.

The question is, why did Kirkland change his face? I think he had an important role before this, possibly he was PJ's friend or relative, and only this way it would shock us and everyone. In fact, in flashbacks, we might have seen previous face of RJ.

I present this theory as my major theory. If this comes true, I will post this link and tell "I told you". Of course, in the future, I may be proven wrong but from this 2 minute chat, this is what I get.