Red John is a showman and would have put on an act or facade when he first met Patrick and 'supposedly' shook his hand.......It's all about the performance for Red John...remember Tommy Volker's idiot performance in season 1....The same is with Ellis Mars....He pretended to be a psychic just like Patrick and made it look like he was being manipulated by Patrick for the entire episode, Now that is a performance................It would be a bit boring and predictable to cast Brett Partridge , Stiles or Kirkland as Red John, They have the potential to be Red John but most of the viewers want shock and awe in the series final episodes in the revealing of Red John's identity........After years of anticipation, wouldn't it be a letdown if Red John is an obvious choice like Stiles or Bertram.....If Red John is Kirkland, I would blame the writers of laziness and taking the easy way out........My favorites 2 candidates to put shock and awe to the viewers are Ellis Mars and Walter Mashburn.....yes...that Walter Mashburn.....plus there is also the clue 'He is Mar' which could be indicative of these 2