The Great Red Dragon
The Great Red Dragon
The book of Revelations is a part of the holy bible containing many passages describing the physical of representation of Satan. This embodiment is in the form of a red, seven headed dragon or beast.
There are seven suspects.
Although I am hesitant to say that it can be concluded that these seven suspects (Gale Bertram, Bret Stiles, Brett Partridge, Sheriff Thomas McAllister, Reede Smith, Ray Haffner and Bob Kirkland) are representations of each of the dragons head and therefore Red John is someone made up of these charaters collectively, I do feel confident in saying there is a definite theme of this red satanic beast in play revolving around Red John and I strongly believe that we will soon be hearing a lot more about this.
-WILLIAM BLAKE-
William Blake was a famous poet and painter from the late 18th to early 19th century. In relation to the Mentalist William Blake is known as the author of The Tyger, a poem often connected to (and recited by) Red John. However William Blake is also notably known for his famous painting The Great Red Dragon , his representation of the dragon like form of Satan - coincidence?
(Other possible connections to William Blake include; 1. The painting Dante's Inferno depicting the story of man by the name of Virgil leading Dante through hell - a possible reference to Jane's retired boos Virgil Minelli? and 2. Another painting named ' A Brace of Partridge' - a possible reference to one of the suspects Brett Partridge?)
- The 666 -
In the final scene of Desert Rose (ep 1, season 6) we see Lisbon entering an old house with the flashlight. Directer Bruno Heller has told viewers that this scene contains a vital clue to the puzzle of Red Johns identity. As Lisbon's flashlight passes we can vaguely see some drawings and writings on the wall. DIE and 666 can be seen on the walls written in red. This is a reference to the unholy trinity - 666- also known as the devils number. Is this the important clue Bruno Heller mentioned? I don't know about you but now that we are into season 6 with 6 suspects left, I am certainly looking forward to the 6th episode!
-HE IS MAN...-
At the end of Red John's Friends (ep 11, season 1) we are shown writing from a victim in blood on a bathroom wall supposedly referring to Red John saying "He is mar". As this message trails off it hard to tell what the full message is and it is easy to imagine that this mar could also be man. There are many theories as to what this means - He is married? He is man? It could be numerous things including he is marmalade or he is manfred (does anyone recall any Manfreds?). However here is one to think about .... he is many
-HOWEVER -
If we are considering the red dragon theory, that Red John is made up of the seven suspects, it could be said that the death of Brett Partridge disproves this. This is true - why would they kill him if he was one of them? Food for thought however, here is a passage from Revelations 13 "I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed"
Bruno Heller has told us that Partridges death was no accident, that it was a move purposely made by Red John and that we will soon find out the reason for this. Time will tell.
Another point against the 'seven headed theory' is that the killings surely must be done by the same person. Wouldn't the smiley faces drawn clockwise with three fingers of his rubber-gloved be difference? The way the killer holds the knife in their hand, the angles, the depth of cuts... wouldn't these miniscule difference be found by analysists and the brilliant mind of Patrick Jane? But just because only one person does the actual killing does this really disprove that there are multiple character making up the figure of Red John?
- THE EPISODE TITLES -
As mentioned previously, although it is hard to confidently conclude that the 'seven headed theory' is correct, there is no doubt that the themes of the red dragon, Satan and God WILL be involved in future episodes to come this season.
Although further information has not been released yet we do know the titles of future episodes of season 6
Episode 6 - 'Fire and Brimstone'. This is biblical reference, fire and brimstone is a description or warning of God's wrath.
Episode 7 - 'The Great Red Dragon' Any explanation needed?
Episode 8 - 'Red John' -I believe this is THE episode in which we find out Red John's identity , considering the name and that Bruno Heller has told us that our favorite serial killer's identity will be found half way through this season. Also this episode has been directed by Chris Long - the man that has directed the most important episodes including all of the season finales and most of the season premiers.
The Mentalist has many references to the bible including the first (and latest) episode of season 6 - desert rose - in which Jane refers to Luke in order to solve the crime. So this theory is not all that irregular.
Please let me know your thoughts :)