Please forgive my digression, but this is a comment on S6E1 in general rather than a RJ theory. S6E1 was exciting, but I was disappointed that some of the episode didn't hold together very well.
Cody Benbow - Why would he take J hostage and walk him out into a group of at least 6 armed law-enforcement officers? Exciting, but it would have made a lot more sense for him to have left J in the house, tied and gagged, while trying to casually escape alone. Illogical.
Lisbon as manager - Okay, L and J have widely differing ideas on how to proceed. But as an experienced manager, she shouldn't just circumvent J as soon as he doesn't have an instant plan to deal with RJ's knowledge of the list. J repeatedly asked for time to think, but is instead required to solve two ordinary cases. Poor management decision.
Lisbon as leader - After 9+ years of working with J, everyone on the team realizes J brings unequaled insight to the cases. J has the deepest knowledge of the RJ case. Why wouldn't she try to talk - in depth! - with J as to his reasons for refusing to involve the team and about her ideas on how to proceed? Wouldn't it make more sense to try to get as much information about J's thinking on all aspects before proceeding on a different track? L always has the official authority to direct her team members (e.g., Van Pelt bugging phones). L doesn't need to circumvent J to go ahead with what L considers best. L looks weak and incompetent as a leader by being unwilling to argue up front with J before doing what she considers best anyhow.
Lisbon with experience on RJ case - After years of being thwarted by RJ, L should be convinced ordinary investigative procedures won't work. RJ has repeatedly violated the supposedly secure CBI computer system and has extensive knowledge about her team's activities. And yet L a) phones Van Pelt at her desk in CBI to discuss secret information and b) believes bugging the suspects' phones will be undetected and effective! This is pretty thin. It makes L look like she's acting out of fear or desperation--inconsistent with the character.
L as experienced law enforcement professional - After J's explicit warning that RJ would use the bugged phones to lead L's team to wherever RJ wanted, the same day L responds to an anonymous request for help directed to her team at an abandoned house! Then she enters without backup. Yes, responding to a cry for help would be the expected response of someone in law enforcement. But this is just dumb given the RJ history, J's warning, and L's experience.
I think the writing needs to be stronger lest the characters' credibility is undermined by stuff like this. Thanks for listening to my gripes.
