It's not theory per se, but a little complaining about this season...To be honest, much of RJ plot has no sense. For example, the list of seven: why there are persons like Reede Smith? There is not even one on screen evidence, that he could be RJ.  It seems like Patrick didn't figure out the suspects - is he blind following the list provided by RJ?!

There are some ESSENTIAL clues missing in this season, like his physical desription, wealth, "he is mar" etc. If we don't get all the explanations, the shows main theme will became pointless... (well it happened before, for example "Lost")

There's another thing. I have idea how to catch him, and it's better than looking for tattoos, but alibis. Yes, alibis - we know moments, when RJ was visible on screen, for example in "Red Sky in the Morning". It would be very easy for Lisbon's team to check when, where etc. our suspects were. They have resources and access to many databases. Not to mention a lot of friends, who could do some favours...

So the truth is, that if Heller don't do something BIG, something suprising, it will be a huge disappointment. Problem is, no one from the remaining three fits Red John's profile in 100%:

Reede Smith - are you kidding me?

Thomas McAllister - it would be cool to see RJ being someone who was there from the start (Partridge! :( ), but do you remember second episode, when he tried to learn rock, paper scissors? His apperance was embarassing even for a hoax. It's just not suitable... And he became somewhat sinister in this season, and it seems to me like being out of character.

Gale Bertram - well there were some clues, but to be honest, it's similarly to McAllister... remember, he needed advices on how to play poker from Jane... don't you think it would be a little ridiculous?

No one's from those three is charming and no one's got a soft voice...And I don't think any of them could hide a small fortune.

I would love to see "Mentalist" even without RJ plot, but I'm afraid the show will jump the shark.