This is more a series of observations on the current season than a theory.

I have always been a fan of the show. The Red John mystery has kept us engaged for so many years because clues have been released slowly and poignantly. The current series has undermined that system, by throwing  a blizzard of half-baked clues and red herrings at us to the point that each of the names on the list of seven (and at least three not on the list) could be Red John. After such a slow, laboured and brilliant build-up, things suddenly feel rushed and careless.

The joy of the show was deduction. A quick look at the latest theories posted on this site shows us how far this series has removed itself from that. We are now left to suspect the likes of Michael Kirkland- a character of which we had no knowledge up until a few weeks ago. This isn't crime-writing at its best.

The Tiger / Tiger conspiracy has been a let-down of epic proportions. For me, the scene in which Reede Smith utters 'Tiger, Tiger' to the prison van driver who immediately repeats the words is the worst in The Mentalist's history. I literally didn't know whether to laugh or cry that all of the subtleties of the past seasons had been reduced to a such a farcical conclusion.

I will of course keep watching and really, really hope that Heller and the team manage to pull this series back.