While this week’s case was another good one, you know me — I’m all about the story arc. Namely: Red John. We were left hanging about what happened to Kristina Frye in last season’s finale, and then merely teased about it in this season’s premiere. When I saw the previews for this week, I thought for sure it was going to be all about Red John and the fate of Kristina, but it turned out to be only a small part of it. Still, that’s what I’m going to talk about.
My first question is about Bret Stiles. I’d say it’s very likely this is not the last we’ll see of Stiles, especially when he somehow has a connection with Red John. Conveniently, though, we learn that Stiles has fled the country. How did he get information about where Kristina was? Obviously Red John had the house set up just for Jane’s arrival, so Stiles was relaying a message, not really helping Jane out. Is he just a messenger, or does he really know who Red John is? Was he lying that he’d help him out?
Speaking of the house where Kristina was, I’m trying to wrap my head around the chair and the paintbrush. What in the hell was that? Was it supposed to symbolize something we’d seen before, or is it an extremely vague clue for who Red John is … or whom his next victim will be. Or maybe he was just painting the room…?
The other thing I found interesting was Agent Molinari’s statement, that he thinks Kristina planted the Red John stuff herself. Or, you know, she is Red John. Now where did I hear that before?
Let’s put aside the idea that Kristina is Red John for a moment. As for her condition when she was found, that’s another weird piece to the puzzle. How could she have been so catatonic when, presumably, she had been on a phone call to a radio program only days before? It’s possible it was a recording that was played over the phone. But what would put Kristina into that state? Someone with a strong sense of how the human mind works could brainwash someone to behave that way, I guess. That would mean that Red John is someone at least as skilled as Jane is at manipulating the human mind.
The fact that Kristina is in such an odd state of mind — and that she’ll likely be hospitalized — may take her off my Red John suspect list. If we see Red John make another appearance soon, then I guess we’ll know.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Oct 07, 2010 @ 23:55 EST5EDT
All I kept thinking was how I’m tired of the Red John storyline being dragged into the 3rd season. I’m ready to see it resolved already because while I found it compelling in the first season, I now just find it boring. For me, it’s bringing the show down.
Bruno Heller has said it’s a series-long story arc, so like it or not, Red John’s here to stay. I think that’s another reason we don’t get a lot of it; they have to drag it out over the series and with the ratings monster this show is, it should be a good long time.
Thanks for the info, Debbie. I have to say that’s a little disheartening and I can’t imagine I’m the only person who’s beginning to tire just a little of the Red John teaser (because it’s not much of a storyline any more). It’s certainly not going to keep me from watching, but the constant leading the audience on is just getting old for me. I still enjoy the show, but it has tarnished my own enjoyment a little.
*POST AUTHOR*
See, if that’s the case — that it’s truly not going to end until the show is over — then the reveal has to be something utterly amazing. Like, it’s actually Jane, or it’s Lisbon. Having anything else end the series would be totally ho-hum.
I agree with Keith about the reveal, but if the series runs 6-8 seasons or more I’m really not going to care who it is. For me, even at this point we’re nearing the “it’s got to be Jane” territory. It’s not that I’m not into long mystery arcs, I just don’t think the writers are making this one nearly interesting enough to carry much, if any, further.
God help us if it runs as long as CSI!
Someone with a strong sense of how the human mind works could brainwash someone to behave that way, I guess >> visualize stiles. For now he is the only con man as good as james…
My 2 cents.
I was soo bracing myself for the sight of a dead and strung up Christina that seeing her merely catatonic was a relief, but now, I’m thinking about the secretary in last seasons’ mass murder ep who died before she could testify…. could Red John have planted some type of suicide/poison thingy in her?
She seemed more than merely traumatized.
Is Jane falling in love with her? What does the rag doll mean?
I’m far from over the RJ story line…..